CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- Regional nucleic acid tests are being carried out in turn in different districts of downtown Chongqing before September 9. For more information about the arrangements, please keep an eye on the notices issued by the relevant districts.

During the 121st press conference on the prevention and control of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) held in Chongqing in the evening on September 2, Li Pan, the deputy director of Chongqing Municipal Health Commission reported the news above.

“The nucleic acid test carried out on August 24 proves to be necessary and effective”

The two confirmed COVID-19 cases have infected over 68 persons

Li Pan said that on August 24, the Chongqing government carried out nucleic acid tests in downtown Chongqing based on the epidemic situation on that day, which gained understanding and support of the general public. Two COVID-19 cases were found in Beibei District after the test, and the Chongqing government immediately adopted appropriate measures to control the spread of the virus to a great extent.

So far, the two confirmed cases mentioned above have infected 68 persons. If it had not been for the early detection and disposal, the virus would have spread in a wider range for a longer time across the city, leading to ghastly consequences.

“The nucleic acid tests carried out on August 24 has proved to be necessary and effective,” Li Pan said.

Before September 9

Regional nucleic acid tests will be carried out in turn in different districts of downtown Chongqing

Li Pan introduced, based on the characteristics of Omicron variant, we can conclude that the epidemic control cannot be done at one go. Besides, many locally transmitted COVID-19 cases have been reported in many domestic areas, and the epidemic situation are getting worst in neighboring cities of Chongqing. For the past seven days, new local infections have been reported in at least 22 provinces (districts / cities), and now there are 2111 high-risk areas and 1,502 medium-risk areas across the country. As schools are opening, and Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day are approaching, the flow of people tends to increase. After comprehensive research and discussions of experts, they believe that it is necessary to carry out nucleic acid tests in downtown Chongqing for a certain period of time.

Therefore, regional nucleic acid tests will be carried out in turn in different districts of downtown Chongqing before September 9. For more information about the arrangements, please keep an eye to the notices issued by relevant districts.

The relevant districts and counties will organize regional nucleic acid tests in accordance with the needs of epidemic prevention and control.

Why should there be rounds of regional nucleic acid tests?

Experts: it’s an irreplaceable way to detect the infected

Why should there be rounds of regional nucleic acid testing after new local infections are reported? Li Baisong explained that, according to the 9th edition of the prevention and control measures, a comprehensive analysis of the source of infection, risk of transmission, and virus transmission trains should be conducted based on the epidemiological investigation after new local infections are confirmed, so as to determine the scope and frequency of regional nucleic acid testing.

The current round of epidemic outbreak in Chongqing is caused by Omicron variant, which is more transmissible at a higher speed. It is milder and harder to detect, with a shorter incubation period of two to four days.

From August 16 to 12:00 on September 2, a total of 341 infections were found in Chongqing, covering 15 districts and counties. At present, the figure of COVID-19 infections in Chongqing remains stable, and has yet to be zero.

Positive results of nucleic acid testing is the primary criterion for the confirmation of COVID-19 cases, and regional nucleic acid testing is an important means of curbing the spread of the virus, said Li Baisong. Regional nucleic acid tests help quickly and accurately identify infected individuals (especially asymptomatic infections) and locate the risk areas and key populations, facilitating the implementation of timely and targeted control measures.

However, if the viral load of a patience is too low to be detected, or the virus is not excreted when the patience is receiving a nucleic acid test, it is possible that he or she tested negative. These potentially infected individuals may stay in the community and soon become infectious if they are not detected in a timely manner, which will cause a rapid spread of the virus.

“Some time ago, an infected patient from other province had tested negative six times before he or she was confirmed by the seventh nucleic acid test.” Li Baisong said an infected person had also tested negative three times before being confirmed in the epidemic outbreak in Chongqing.

In order to detect the infected patients among the population as soon as possible and effectively curb the transmission of the virus, it’s necessary to carry out nucleic acid testing correspondingly. (Translated by Cai Xinyu, Fathom Language Limited)