Schools in South Chinese cities have closed their doors, as authorities prepare to test millions of kids. That’s because they are racing to stop the latest COVID school outbreak in China. This was after identifying 59 new domestically transmitted cases on Tuesday September 14, 2021. Moreover, the count was more than double the previous day according to News 24.
Most Young Children Unvaccinated in Fujian Province
Fujian Province borders on Taiwan Strait to the east. The culturally diverse population affectionately calls it ‘eight parts mountain, one part water, and one part farmland’ with 62% forest. Numerous high schools, colleges and universities deliver education to 41.5 million people.
China has been facing diverse outbreaks of the highly-infectious Delta variant. The latest school outbreak in China broke out in Putian city on the coast, after a father returning from Singapore inadvertently imported the Delta. The resulting cluster of cases is apparently the largest rebound in weeks, and is a challenge to China’s ‘zero case’ approach to the pandemic.
Single Spark behind The School Outbreak in China
First a father returning from Singapore developed symptoms after completing 14-day quarantine, and initially testing negative for the virus. Then the infection spread first to his son and a classmate, shortly after the new school term began. Following that, it spread rapidly through classrooms affecting more than 36 kids including of kindergarten age.
This is fresh evidence of the virulence of the Delta variant, and its ability to strike people of all ages. It also suggests unvaccinated kids are vulnerable, and deserving of vaccine protection.
Fears are rising the spread could reach infirm and aged citizens too. Authorities have warned citizens visiting Singapore to ‘be psychologically and economically prepared’ for difficulties re-entering China.
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Preview Image: Putian No.5 Middle School
