As the number of imported and asymptomatic cases rise, China puts restrictions on its borders
China has stepped up its border control measures on April 7 as the number of imported cases rose to 951 with a surge in the number of asymptomatic cases, which has raised fears among the authorities for a second wave of the virus outbreak in the country, mainly from Chinese returning to their home country from abroad. Imported cases and asymptomatic patients, though they don’t show any symptoms, can be carriers and pass the virus which has become the chief concern of the Chinese authorities despite rigorous measures taken to contain the virus outbreak. According to health officials, asymptomatic cases are patients who test positive for the virus but they don’t show any symptoms and can still transmit the virus. Currently, China has banned all foreign nationals from entering the country and is only allowing Chinese nationals to return home.
A health official has warned the Chinese capital, Beijing that it might remain under long-term coronavirus epidemic control. Mi Feng, a spokesperson for the National Health Commission (NHC), said that as of April 5, the number of imported cases rose to 951 as China airlifted several Chinese nationals from various countries who are still coping with the pandemic. China has reported 39 new cases of the virus out of which 38 are imported patients. The NHC stated that around 1,047 asymptomatic cases are still under observation with 78 new asymptomatic cases and 40 imported cases from Mainland China. According to the NHC, as of April 7, the number of confirmed cases in China is 81,740 including 3,331 deaths, 77,167 recovered and 1,242 still under treatment.
