Beijing reports family clusters in new outbreak

Beijing has reported a cumulative 38 confirmed COVID-19 cases and one asymptomatic case during the latest domestic outbreak as of 2 pm Wednesday, and the major two transmission chains are between family members and a group of friends who played cards together, a senior official said at a news conference on Wednesday afternoon.

Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said several families in the city have seen infection spread to all members, which showed residents that the virus is highly infectious and people should strictly follow epidemic control and prevention measures.

Beijing reported a COVID-19 family cluster of four on Tuesday morning, including a couple, their daughter and the daughter's grandmother. On Wednesday, another child was reported to have also been confirmed with infection.

Between noontime Tuesday and 2 pm Wednesday, Beijing reported five new locally transmitted cases including the child.

To cut infection risks, Beijing has tightened control measures on transportation sector.

According to the railway authority, up to 123 train stations from 23 cities and counties including Tianshui, Zhangye and Heihe have suspended selling Beijing-bound tickets to passengers as of Tuesday.