Zhejiang beefs up nucleic acid tests

A 52-year-old patient with severe COVID-19 symptoms in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, is being treated in a hospital with other patients who have mild symptoms caused by the highly transmissible Delta variant.

The patient in severe condition had been at home except for three periods when samples were being collected — from Dec 6 to 10 — before being diagnosed with COVID-19 and is currently receiving oxygen and supportive therapy with no ventilator or ECMO machine, said Xia Shichang, vice-director of Zhejiang Provincial Health Commission.

Zhejiang reported 43 new cases on Tuesday, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases to 236.

A total of 161 confirmed cases and one asymptomatic case have been reported in Shaoxing of Zhejiang so far with 38 cases newly reported as of 4 pm on Tuesday.

According to Xia, all counties and districts in Shaoxing have been testing residents since Monday.

Meanwhile, local authorities in Hangzhou are testing people in key industries and populations. For example, those working in public service industries involving buses, subways and catering are to be tested every three days.

A negative test result within 48 hours is required for people coming to Hangzhou from outside or returning to Hangzhou.

Fang Xiaoying in Hangzhou contributed to this story.