The 63rd press conference on Guangdong's fight against COVID-19 was held in Guangzhou today (June 17th).

As of 24:00, June 16th, Guangdong has reported 1,628 cases ( among whom 233 imported cases). 27 cases now remain in the hospital.

(Photo by Cao Yaqin)

‘Given that a COVID-19 cluster has appeared in some places, Guangdong will strengthen its epidemic prevention and control across the province,’ Duan Yufei, Director-General of the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, said at the conference.

Duan introduced the requirements for nucleic acid testing on these people: outpatients and emergency clinics patients with a travel history in medium & high-risk areas within the last 14 days, fever clinic patients, newly admitted inpatient patients and their companions.

‘Drugstores should report the purchase of drugs that reduce fever and coughs by people with a travel history in medium & high-risk areas within the last 14 days,’ said Duan.

People with a travel history in high-risk areas within 14 days are supposed to undergo a 14-day quarantine in designated venues.

‘Guangdong will focus on the investigation and tracking of people with a travel history to Bejing’s Xinfadi wholesale market since May 30th and their close contacts. These people will receive nucleic acid testing the same day they arrive in Guangdong and on the 14th day,’ Duan said.

People with a travel history in medium-risk areas within the last 14 days need to receive a health condition inquiry and health code check. They will accept nucleic acid testing the same day they arrive in Guangdong and on the 14th day, they will undergo home quarantine if necessary.

Guangdong CDC calls for people with a travel history to medium & high-risk areas or having close contacts with people in these areas to report to the local CDC and community immediately.

‘Guangdong’s public environment is safe,’ said Deng Huihong, Head of the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Contral and Prevention.

As of midnight of June 16th, Guangdong had collected 6,692 environmental samples and key food samples in 387 markets, including farm produce markets, general markets, aquatic products wholesale and retail markets, and supermarkets. All tested negative for COVID-19.

Moreover, the province collected a total of 1,753 samples of staff from farm produce markets, aquatic products wholesale markets, supermarkets and the nucleic acid testing results were negative, according to Mai Jiaomeng, Director-General of Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation.

Guangdong CDC tested environmental samples from the T1 and T2 terminal of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, border checkpoints, transfer points, transfer vehicles, and centralized medical observation hotels, all of which showed negative results.

Deng also stressed, the public needs to be prepared for long-term epidemic prevention and control, which cannot be relaxed.

Author: Hannah, Steven

Editor: Keane, Jerry