【资料图】

Image source: China Visual

BEIJING, July 19 (TMTPOST) -- Since the first detection of novel coronavirus cases in Wuhan in late 2019, new cases are once spread across China. Gansu in western China is among the provinces to be hit by the pandemic the worst.

The current approach to containing new outbreaks, which is known as the dynamic zero case policy, is to prevent and control the entry of overseas infections while eliminating new local cases and asymptomatic infections as soon as possible.

During the 32nd coronavirus prevention and control press conference of Gansu province on July 19, a spokesperson said that as of 24:00 on July 18, there were 229 confirmed cases in Lanzhou, Tianshui, Longnan, Baiyin, Linxia and other seven cities and prefectures. 761 cases of local asymptomatic infections were reported in Lanzhou, Gannan and other 10 cities and prefectures. Among them, Lanzhou City had 28 new confirmed cases and 199 new asymptomatic infections, the majority of which were in Chengguan District.

According to Zhang Hao, deputy director and spokesman of Gansu Provincial Health and Wellness Commission, the main prevalent strain in the current wave of outbreaks in Gansu province is the omicron variant. Asymptomatic infections surged to far exceed the number of confirmed cases, which was a distinct feature of the ongoing wave.

As of 24:00 on July 18, health authorities in the areas with the presence of the virus in Gansu province have screened 27,216 close contacts and 45,824 secondary contacts. As of 12:00 on July 19, Gansu province announced 158 high-risk areas and 273 medium-risk areas. Gansu province has suspended 1,379 routes of inter-regional, inter-city and inter-provincial transportation, to minimize the spread of the virus.

As of 12:00 a.m. on July 19, three confirmed patients in Lanzhou City were cured and discharged from hospital, and four persons with asymptomatic infections were released from medical observation.