More infections linked to Zhangjiajie reported

Zhangjiajie, Hunan province, administered coronavirus tests to more than 2,900 performers, hotel staff and restaurant workers in response to COVID-19 infections elsewhere in the country that have been linked to the city.

All the people tested were tied to the Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area — a top-rated UNESCO World Heritage site and global geopark. Results so far have come back negative, sources from the disease control and prevention center of the Wulingyuan district of the city told The Paper, a news portal.

Sources at the Zhangjiajie's information office told China Daily that the second round of tests, which began on Thursday, is expected to cover all residential compounds in the urban area. 

Three asymptomatic carriers were reported on Monday and one confirmed case was reported on Tuesday in Dalian, Liaoning province. The four had all attended the same show — Meili Xiangxi, or Charm Xiangxi — on the night of July 22, at a theater in Zhangjiajie.

Everyone in the audience from 6 pm to 7 pm was said to be at high risk for coronavirus infection and should report to their residential community or disease control and prevention institute and take a test immediately, according to Zhangjiajie's health headquarters, which is charge of managing the COVID-19 situation.

Sources from the disease control and prevention center of Wulingyuan district told The Paper that they have a list of all members of the audience who watched the July 22 performance and are contacting each one to investigate.

Official sources said the Charming Xiangxi Theater, which can accommodate an audience of around 2,800, has been closed for a week starting on Wednesday. People who bought tickets for the week ahead can get refunds.

As of Thursday morning, in addition to the four cases in Dalian, 10 people had been found positive for COVID-19 after traveling to Zhangjiajie.

Chengdu, Sichuan province, reported three new asymptomatic carriers on Tuesday. Those people had traveled to Zhangjiajie between July 20 and July 22.

Beijing reported one new COVID-19 case on Thursday. The patient had traveled to Zhangjiajie on July 20 for sightseeing and returned on July 25.

Two residents of Chongqing tested positive in Chengdu for COVID-19, authorities said on Wednesday night. They had toured Zhangjiajie from July 21 to 24.

Also after touring Zhangjiajie, four residents of Huai'an, Jiangsu province, tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.

Zhu Youfang in Changsha contributed to this story.