China Reports Highest Number Of Asymptomatic Cases Since April Following Outbreak In Xinjiang

Topline

China reported its highest number of asymptomatic Covid-19 infections since it started recording these types of infections in April, after local health authorities found a cluster of 137 cases linked to a garment factory in the Xinjiang region, Reuters reported.

Key Facts

Key Background

The mass testing in Kashgar was triggered after a 17-year-old female factory worker in the region tested positive on Saturday, while displaying no symptoms. The teenager’s infection was discovered during a routine weekly test in Xinjiang. The source of the teenager’s infection remains unclear. The new cluster of asymptomatic cases has been linked to a separate garment factory where the girl’s parents work, however, they themselves have not tested positive.

Big Number

85,810: That’s the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases that have been found in mainland China, where the first case of Covid-19 emerged in December 2019.. The country has recorded a total of 4,634 deaths. As per the National Health Commission’s website, China records asymptomatic cases separately from what it calls “confirmed” cases.

Further Reading

China reports surge of asymptomatic coronavirus cases in Xinjiang (Reuters)

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