These cases are the first in Beijing in two months.
Beijing, China:
China reported 57 new cases of coronavirus on Sunday, the highest daily figure since April, amid growing concern about a resurgence of the disease.
The domestic epidemic in China has been largely brought under control thanks to strict bans imposed earlier this year – but a new epidemic is linked to a meat and vegetable market in southern Beijing.
The National Health Commission said 36 of the new cases were household infections in the capital.
The other two domestic infections reported on Sunday occurred in northeast Liaoning province, and local health officials said they were close contacts of the Beijing cases.
The new group of household infections has caused further closures with people sentenced to stay at home in 11 residences near the market.
These cases are the first in Beijing in two months.
AFP journalists saw hundreds of police, many of whom wore masks and gloves, and dozens of paramilitary police deployed to the market.
The new cases have raised concerns about the security of the food supply chain and some other markets in the city have also been closed.
Beijing market surveillance authorities have ordered a city-wide food safety inspection focusing on fresh and frozen meat, poultry and fish in supermarkets, warehouses and food services.
Nine nearby schools and kindergartens were closed and Beijing delayed the return of students to primary schools.
Sporting events, group meals and interprovincial tour groups were also stopped.
The rest of the cases reported on Sunday were brought into the country by Chinese nationals who returned from abroad.
(With the exception of the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
