COVID-19 Catch-Up: New Risk Areas, Lay's Factory Infections

原创 Joey Knotts theBeijinger

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With Beijing in the thralls of a new outbreak, it can be hard to keep up with all the news. Here's what you might have missed over the weekend.

New cases, area risks adjusted

Beijing reported 22 new cases on Saturday, Jun 20, bringing the city's total to 227 cases since the first one was discovered on Jun 11.

As a result, two more areas have been added to Beijing’s list of high-risk areas, namely Xingcun Street in Fengtai District and the Huangcun neighborhood in Daxing District.

In addition, Changxindian Street and You'anmen Street of Fengtai District, Anding Zhen of Daxing District, Balizhuang Street of Haidian District, and Beiyuan Street of Tongzhou District were adjusted from low- to medium-risk, bringing Beijing’s total to four high-risk areas and 37 medium-risk areas.

Despite the increase, officials are insisting that the new cases do not yet qualify as a “second wave.”

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Eight confirmed cases at a PepsiCo Inc.-owned Lay's chip factory

Don't worry, your purple taro chips shouldn't be affected, says PepsiCo Inc.

Coca-Cola executives were knee-deep in schadenfreude this weekend as headlines besmeared the name of Pepsi Cola, accompanied by the news that one of the company’s factories had been forced to shut down production after eight COVID-19 cases were discovered on the premises, two of which were directly related to the Xinfadi market outbreak.

However, it's worth noting that the factory in question does not produce any beverages (no cases have been discovered in the company’s beverage bottling plants), only small batches of canned Lay's chips, a brand owned by PepsiCo Inc. The company insists that all stock from the factory has been isolated and all of its products are safe. Still, it’s bad publicity for the brand that just released a whole line of localized flavors.

Delivery drivers test negative city-wide

Following the mandatory testing of all restaurant employees in Beijing, delivery waimai drivers have been tested en masse as well. According to Sina reporting, the first batch of tested drivers were, without exception, negative, as were all tested food products.

That means it’s now safe to order a giant helping of Pepsi and Lay's potato chips straight to your door. Let the party begin.