New cases of Covid-19 patients have been recorded in China and Italy. The possibility of a second wave is not ruled out.
- Several neighborhoods in Beijing, China, have been reconfigured after the appearance of new cases of Covid-19
- These new cases confirm that at a time of deconfinement in Europe, it is necessary to maintain protective measures
This Sunday, June 14, the Chinese authorities announced a total of 57 new cases of patients with Covid-19 in the country, more than half of them in Beijing. According to the Ministry of Health, it was the boards used to cut salmon in a wholesale market in the capital that were contaminated. This Xinfadi market – since closed – has therefore become the new main source of contamination in the country. As of Friday, the town hall also ordered the confinement of eleven residential areas to the south of the city. Schools and kindergartens are also closed, while group sightseeing and sporting events remain suspended until further notice. After two months of respite, the epidemic again seems to threaten the country.
Most cases are asymptomatic
Yet, until now, the Covid-19 epidemic has been under control in China. But last Thursday, authorities began massive testing. Their goal is to identify asymptomatic carriers of the virus, who would risk spreading it more massively. Among the 57 new cases detected, 45 are asymptomatic. If some of them are local, others returned from a trip, either from abroad or from the northern provinces of the country. Although the epidemic is decreasing in many European countries, this information could be worrying. Especially since Austria, Germany, Belgium, France and Greece will restore free movement in all countries of the European Union from this Monday.
Two sources of contamination in Italy
In France, the number of cases of death and admission to intensive care linked to Covid-19 is decreasing. But, other countries do not experience such a favorable situation such as Chile, Brazil or India. Closer, two outbreaks of contamination were recorded in Rome, Italy, this Saturday. The main one is at San Raffaele Pisana Hospital, where 104 patients tested positive for Covid-19 and five of whom died. An epidemiological investigation must be carried out there to determine the number of former infected patients. The investigation will go back until May 1. For this, nearly 200 people who were hospitalized during this period will be called back to take tests. The other home is in a squatted building in the capital. He was immediately quarantined. Some occupants, mostly immigrants, still live there, but many have been moved to other accommodation. According to the authorities, nine positive cases have been identified in this building.
Barrier gestures and social distancing remain essential
With more than 34,000 deaths from Covid-19, Italy remains the fourth most affected country in the world. The Italian authorities, like those of many other states, therefore remain cautious.
For the moment, it is impossible to know how the virus will evolve. It could disappear this summer, or reappear in the coming weeks during a second wave, or even become seasonal and return only next winter. Currently, no one can predict the evolution of this epidemic, which is why barrier gestures and social distancing remain essential.
