Epidemiologist: COVID-19 outbreak in Beijing brought under control

“The epidemic in Beijing has been brought under control. When I say that it’s under control, that doesn’t mean the number of cases will turn zero tomorrow or the day after,” Wu Zunyou, the chief epidemiologist of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said.

The expert added at a press briefing that there may be new cases in the coming days, but that these would not be newly transmitted cases, yet discovered during the process of testing.

“The trend will persist for some time, but the number of cases will decrease, just like the trend that we saw (in Beijing) in January and February.”

The bulk of the infections trace back to a significant wholesale produce market called Xinfadi, located on the city outskirts, about 8.7 miles (14 kilometers) southwest of Tiananmen Square at the center of Beijing.

The city reported one case on Thursday last week after more than 50 days without domestically transmitted COVID-19 circumstances in Beijing. Another six emerged Friday, and by Monday, a total of 106 new confirmed cases had been recorded over five days. The city then reported 21 cases for Wednesday, according to Reuters, which was down from 31 the day before.