Revealing the source of the SARS-CoV-2 virus strain that is spreading in Beijing

The information was released on Sunday by Yang Peng, an expert at the Beijing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Speaking to CCTV , Yang confirmed that the virus found on samples from the Xinfadi market resembled the virus found in foreign cases.

A seafood counter in Beijing was checked on Saturday. Photo: Global TimesSpecifically, the genome sequence shows that the strain of SARS-CoV-2 virus spread in Beijing originated from Europe.

However, it is not clear from which route this virus entered China.

Previously, the SARS-CoV-2 virus was found on samples collected from the salmon chopping board imported at Xinfadi market.

According to Mr. Yang, there are 2 theories about the path of the virus. One is through seafood and meat imported from abroad. People exposed to a batch of virus-contaminated meat and seafood may have been infected.

China imports about 80,000 tons of chilled and frozen salmon each year, mainly from Chile, Norway, the Faroe Islands, Australia and Canada.

The second hypothesis is that the virus spreads through people to Xinfadi market. In particular, the patient may have coughed or sneezed, causing the virus to splash on seafood and meat.

Mr. Yang said the CDC will immediately conduct an epidemiological investigation, and further study the virus strain causing the outbreak in Xinfadi market.

As of June 14, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the Chinese capital Beijing has reached 51. Most of them are related to Xinfadi market in Fengtai district. Previously, Beijing had not recorded any cases for nearly two months.

According to Beijing authorities, Fengtai County will conduct the COVID-19 test on 46,000 residents living near Xinfadi market.

24 test stations of COVID-19 have been established in Phong Dai. The number of people tested so far is 10,881.

People come for testing at the Phong Dai Sports Center. Photo: Global Times

Field test station at Fengtai Sports Center. Photo: Global Times

The driver had his body temperature checked before entering a temporary market of vegetables in Beijing. Photo: Global Times

A supermarket in Beijing. Photo: Global Times

Chen Xi – Associate Professor of Public Health, Yale University said that people do not need to worry too much about the epidemic situation in Beijing, because China has experience in fighting epidemics from cases in Wuhan. and Thi Lan.

Beijing has the ability to prevent sporadic cases from spreading, Chen believes.