Beijing outbreak continues dissipating trend

The overall COVID-19 situation in Beijing is showing a steady downward trend, with the number of new infections continuing to decline, said city government spokesperson Xu Hejian.

"Apart from the districts of Fengtai, Changping and Chaoyang, Beijing's 13 districts and its economic and technological development area have reported no new cases at the community level in the past seven days as of Friday, indicating Beijing has entered the stage of the zero-COVID status at community level," Xu said at a news conference on Friday.

Aside from controlled zones, the 14 districts and area have gradually restored production and life in accordance with layered epidemic intervention and prevention measures, Xu said.

Liu Xiaofeng, deputy director of the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, said seniors are the most susceptible to COVID-19 in the current outbreak in Beijing, and most of the infections detected were elderly residents.

Liu urged senior residents to go out less and avoid crowded public venues to avoid being infected with the novel coronavirus.

Liu also urged seniors to actively be vaccinated against the novel coronavirus , as vaccination is still an effective way to prevent being infected and prevent conditions from further worsening.

"Vaccination services are still available during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday beginning on Friday," Liu added.

According to Liu, Beijing reported two new locally transmitted cases as of 3 pm on Friday, bringing the total number of infections to 1,797 since April 22.

Of the new infections detected in Chaoyang, one case was discovered at the community level and one was reported in quarantine areas, he said.

Of the 1,797 cases, Chaoyang district registered 427, the most in the outbreak, followed by Fangshan, which reported 413.