COVID-19 from Philippines not spreading in Tianjin

Tianjin authorities announced on Friday that coronavirus samples had come back negative from people exposed to a Filipino man in the city who had been found positive in the Philippines. His close contacts have also been tested, along with others who had been indirectly exposed.

The city sought 1,345 people thought to have had exposure to the man at some level — 14 of whom were close contacts — including his co-workers, neighbors, people with whom he had shared meals or who had ridden in the same car.

To date, 1,316 samples have come back negative; the rest are pending.

The local epidemic center also collected 91 samples from doorknobs, water taps, refrigerators, dustbins, air conditioners, water pipes, clothing, food packaging and shipping containers. All the samples have come back negative.

Disinfection has been completed at the man's home and office.

The man, who worked in Tianjin's Binhai New Area, was confirmed in the Philippines with COVID-19. He had traveled there on Aug 3, according to Tianjin Daily.

He passed through Beijing International Airport on Aug 3 and arrived in the Philippines on Aug 4. He was a staff member at AAA Dornier Technology (Tianjin) Co, and tested positive in the Philippines on Aug 12.