Beijing’s Latest 2 COVID Cases: What We Know So Far

As you've probably already heard, a confirmed case of symptomatic COVID-19 has hit a bit too close to home, having popped up suddenly in Changping district in Northwest Beijing yesterday, Jul 28. And just this afternoon, the wife of this case was confirmed as a case as well, bringing the new case count in the city to 2. We don't yet know what the implications of this case will be, but certain parts of the city have already begun resuming temperature and health code checks and are ramping up the campaign to vaccinate younger people ages 12-17.

In any case, in the spirit of keeping everyone up to date, here's what we know so far: 

• The patients live in Longyueyuan, Huilongguan, Changping District.

• That neighborhood has been locked down, including the closure of nearby parks and facilities, and began nucleic acid tests of all residents yesterday, along with several nearby communities.

• On Jul 20, the patients traveled outside of Beijing, including to Hunan province where four travelers to the popular tourist area of Zhangjiajie later were diagnosed with the virus. The patients returned to Beijing Jul 25.

• One of the patients reported experiencing symptoms as early as Jul 26.

• One patient is employed at an insurance company at Zhongguancun Life Science Park in Changping district, which is accessible via the Changping subway line. So far, we have not heard whether the patient went to work after returning from travel or whether any measures are being taken in Zhongguancun.

• The patient went to the hospital with a fever on Jul 28 and tested positive for the virus.

• His case is mild and he has been sent to a designated hospital for treatment.

• The second case, the wife of the first case, works in a tech company on Shuangqing Road, Haidian District and tested positive when accompanying her husband to the clinic. Her case is categorized as light and she has also been sent to a designated hospital for treatment. 

Other recent developments

• The Legendale Hotel in Wangfujing is currently under closed management for undisclosed reasons. Some media reports suggest that a diplomat stayed there briefly and later tested positive but asymptomatic. 

• Three other confirmed cases in Inner Mongolia are reported to have traveled through Beijing on Jul 24, taking Line 2 and Line 4 in the process.

So what are we in Beijing to make of all of this?

First of all, don’t panic. The situation remains largely in control and one of the reasons we hear this news is because China is very serious about contact tracing and is taking the conservative approach, as usual. 

Second, keep up any lapsing pandemic protection behaviors — wear masks in public, scan codes as requested.

Third, consider curtailing any non-essential travel plans. This outbreak is clearly fueled by travel, and all travel presents a small but not insignificant risk of fueling more outbreaks.

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