Can a virus be created in a laboratory?
0:53
(CNN) -
The outbreak of the delta variant of the new coronavirus in China has reached Wuhan, the original epicenter of the pandemic, prompting city-wide testing as authorities struggle to contain the first local infections. that have been registered in the city for more than a year.
China is dealing with its worst outbreak in months, with more than 300 cases detected in more than two dozen cities across the country.
The country now has 144 medium- and high-risk areas, the highest number since the initial outbreak in early 2020, the National Health Commission reported Wednesday.
The speed and scale of the spread has led to massive restrictions on domestic travel, with the suspension of all intercity bus services, taxis, and online car rentals in medium and high-risk areas.
The Chinese immigration authorities also promised to "strictly restrict non-urgent and unnecessary cross-border travel," including tightening the issuance of passports for Chinese citizens.
What's different about the delta variant?
This is what is known
Coronavirus outbreak reaches Wuhan
Seven infections among migrant workers were recorded on Monday in Wuhan, the central Chinese city where the coronavirus was first detected in December 2019. As of Wednesday, a total of 20 local infections were recorded, including 8 asymptomatic cases, according to the Hubei Provincial Health Commission.
The city of 11 million people was subjected to the world's first and possibly tightest coronavirus lockdown in January 2020, during the height of its devastating initial outbreak.
The crippling 76-day lockdown came at a huge personal cost to residents, but the virus was finally brought under control.
Wuhan had not registered any cases of local transmission since May last year.
advertising
Wuhan celebrates music festival 0:45
Despite initial mismanagement, the Chinese government has proclaimed Wuhan a success story in its fight against the pandemic.
In August 2020, as much of the world battled COVID-19, Wuhan made international news when it held an electronic music festival at an outdoor water park, with thousands of people partying without masks or social distancing measures at the same time. view.
On high alert
But now, the highly contagious delta variant puts authorities on high alert.
On Tuesday, Wuhan launched a city-wide coronavirus testing campaign, with residents forming long lines at community testing sites until late at night.
The city also suspended 17 bus lines and closed several metro stations.
Some fear the return of a strict lockdown.
Videos and photos shared on social media Monday show empty shelves and long lines at supermarkets as residents scrambled to stock up on daily groceries.
"Seeing the people of Wuhan panic shopping in supermarkets makes me feel sad. Only those who have experienced it understand how terrible it is, (we) are afraid to go back to the days of staying at home and not knowing where the next meal, "a Wuhan resident said on the Chinese site Weibo.
During the initial blockade of Wuhan, millions of residents were ordered to stay in their homes, depending on officials and volunteers for daily necessities, often at a higher price.
As of Wednesday, the city-wide closure in Wuhan had not been announced, although residential complexes related to the detected cases underwent selective closures.
ChinacoronavirusCovid-19 Delta variant Wuhan
