Suzhou races to control latest Omicron outbreak

Suzhou, a key Yangtze River Delta city in Jiangsu province, has taken strong measures to guarantee residents' normal lives and ensure economic activities amid a rapid response to a COVID-19 outbreak.

The city reported nine new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and two asymptomatic cases by 3 pm on Wednesday, taking the totals in the latest outbreak to 35 confirmed cases and seven asymptomatic ones, Gu Haidong, its executive vice-mayor, said at a news conference.

An official from the COVID-19 joint prevention and control headquarters at Suzhou Industrial Park said a guidance system had been established to offer help to companies in the park.

"A working mechanism between the government and the companies in the park has been established," the official said. "We collect the requirements from the companies and organize social forces to provide materials that are needed by the companies."

Because it is affecting one of the economic and technology hubs in the delta, the outbreak of the Omicron strain of the novel coronavirus might have a significant impact on sectors such as the integrated circuit industry.

Sino Wealth Electronic said on Monday that its production might be significantly affected by the suspension of production by two suppliers, Securities Times reported.

According to a list of China's 10 top semiconductor manufacturing enterprises in 2017, which was released by the China Semiconductor Industry Association, one of the affected suppliers, HeJian Technology (Suzhou), ranked fourth among wafer foundry original equipment manufacturers.

"If HeJian cannot resume production due to the epidemic, it will have a significant impact on the company's production and operation," Sino Wealth Electronic was quoted as saying.