China closed the main bridge linking the country with Myanmar on Tuesday (Mar 30) and started a one-week lockdown of the border city Ruili after six local Covid-19 infections were reported.
The health commission of Yunnan province in southwestern China said in a statement that three new asymptomatic cases – which China does not classify as confirmed cases – were found in Ruili, along with the six confirmed infections on Tuesday.
It is the first time since Feb 5 that China has reported a local cluster. On Wednesday, the National Health Commission said China found 11 new Covid-19 cases on Mar 30. The other five cases were all imported.
As well as strengthening public health measures, China has been bolstering security as the violent crackdown by Myanmar’s junta causes many Myanmese to flee the country, seeking refuge in China, Thailand and India.
Health authorities said one of the confirmed Covid-19 cases and three of the asymptomatic cases were Myanmese while the rest were Chinese.
Ruili deputy mayor Yang Mou said on Wednesday morning the city would enter a one-week lockdown and that 317 people identified as close contacts were under quarantine for medical observation.
(Compiled)
