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Coronavirus cluster in China stretches from dinner party to hospital to charges of breaching contagion laws
- Patients in hospital test positive after chain of infection, bringing group total to at least 17 cases
- Heilongjiang case highlights the perils of easing social distance measures before time
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China has again reported a double-digit cluster infection of Covid-19, highlighting the risk of gatherings as people ease up on social distancing measures, Chinese authorities warned.
On Monday, northeastern Heilongjiang province reported 10 local infections, seven confirmed with symptoms and three without symptoms. All of them could be traced back to one asymptomatic carrier, resulting in a cluster of at least 17 infections.
It has been the first big local cluster since the Chinese government announced last month that Covid-19 was under control on the mainland, and the largest reported daily local increase since March 11. For a couple of weeks China’s newly reported infections have been mainly imported cases.
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However, this cluster proves the risk of another local outbreak once social distancing is lifted.
Mi Feng, spokesman for the National Health Commission, said on Tuesday that given the recurrence of local infections in recent days, the public should maintain self-protection and community precautions.
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“The prevention and control measures must be implemented by every household and every individual,” he said.
Medical experts also told the public to keep wearing masks.
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