On the morning of November 6, the press conference on COVID-19 prevention and control in Guangzhou updated the latest COVID-19 situation in the city.

Between 0:00 and 24:00 on November 5, Guangzhou reported 1,325 locally-acquired confirmed cases and asymptomatic cases, among which nine were linked to community transmission, and others were found among people under mandatory quarantine or in high-risk areas.

On November 5, 1,253 new cases were detected in Haizhu District, which were mostly from the high-risk areas of Kangle-Lujiang Area, Fengyang Subdistrict. To curb community transmission, we launched stricter control measures across the district yesterday to limit people's movement and intensify PCR testing. We went door by door to check residents' testing records to ensure everyone was tested and no positive cases would go unnoticed.

The supply of basic goods and services remains stable and orderly. Currently, supermarkets' stock of essential items is two or three times the usual size, and it will increase to five times soon. To address residents' needs promptly, Haizhu District has established a three-level hotline service system (i.e., the district 12345 hotline, sub-district hotlines, and working group hotlines in controlled areas) to provide individualized assistance. On November 5, we received a total of 1,865 epidemic-related requests and all have been resolved properly within the day.

Guangzhou CDC: Unauthorized Outbound Trips and Object Passing from the Controlled Areas Pose a Great Risk for Virus Spread

The number of new cases in Haizhu District hit a new high on November 5, largely because the Omicron variant spreads fast and is hard to track. The virus spreads faster through aerosol transmission in areas with high concentrations of buildings and narrow lanes; the extremely high population density also provides a conducive environment for the rapid transmission of the virus.

According to Zhang Zhoubin, Party secretary and spokesman for the Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, most of the new cases were discovered during screening in medium or high-risk areas or among those under centralized quarantine. This indicates that measures such as restricting movement, conducting universal PCR tests, transferring people to isolation facilities, and reducing population density can help detect new cases in a timely manner and greatly reduce spillover risks. It also shows that the residents of this area are still facing a high risk of spreading or getting COVID-19. They must continue cooperating with us, exercise health management, and get tested as required.

Zhang also said they had noticed some people in the controlled area had left the area without approval and had been in contact with outsiders. He warned the public that such acts are very likely to spread the virus to other areas, putting other people in danger and undermining our efforts in epidemic control.

"Therefore, I must remind everyone again that we still face daunting challenges, and that unsterilized items and people in medium and high-risk areas are still at high risk of transmission. It is important that we remain vigilant and prevent such risky behaviors, so that we can contribute in our own small way to bringing COVID-19 under control."

Risks remain in Baiyun and Panyu District for Community Transmission

In Baiyun District, the situation has stabilized in Songzhou Subdistrict and Tangjing Subdistrict, and no new cases have been reported in Huangshi Subdistrict for many days. Sporadic outbreaks were found in Tongde Subdistrict, Renhe Town, Helong Subdistrict, Yuncheng Subdistrict, and Xinshi Subdistrict. These areas are at risk of local transmission.

Dashi Subdistrict and Luopu Subdistrict in Panyu District have reported new cases. Cluster cases are emerging in individual areas, indicating a risk of community transmission. As of now, Panyu District has delineated controlled areas and started identifying exposure places.