Categories: News

Wuhan Wants to Test 11 Million Residents Amid Fears of Covid-19 Second Wave

The city is aiming to test everyone in 10 days.

Wuhan health officials want to test for all residents, following new cases of coronavirus infections in the city.
The former epicenter of the disease has lifted its lockdown measures in April.
The World Health Organization continues to warn all countries to be “at high alert” as they ease restrictions in the near future.

After more than a month of easing restrictions, authorities in Wuhan, China are now conducting mass testing efforts amid fears of a second wave of the coronavirus. Officials are hoping to test at least 11 million people in the city.

Soon after lifting the lockdown, Wuhan had a new COVID-19 case in early April when an 89-year-old contracted the disease. Eventually, five asymptomatic individuals from the same area have been reported.

It can be remembered that the coronavirus pandemic started as an outbreak in the port city, with its first case recorded back in December 2019. Soon thereafter, the disease spread not only in the city but in the entire country and later, across many countries.

China and other countries eventually implemented quarantine measures. Health experts have since encouraged the public to wear face masks, avoid mass gatherings, observe social distancing, and practice hand hygiene.

In April 8, China declared victory against the virus by ending the lockdown in Wuhan when the number of new cases began seeing a significant drop.

Now the city is aiming to stop the potential occurrence of a second wave by testing all its residents within 10 days – an initiative that has been slammed by some critics, saying it could be expensive and unnecessary.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has continually been warming countries to still be “at the highest level of alert,” emphasizing that plans to lift restrictions should be done in a “phased and gradual” manner.

As WHO director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said:

“Through national unity and global solidarity, we can save both lives and livelihoods and ensure that other health services both function and improve.”