Guangzhou reports 2 imported cases of Omicron variant

Guangzhou recorded two new confirmed imported cases of COVID-19. 

The two cases were two women in their twenties that arrived together in Nansha on Valentine's day morning from outside of Guangzhou. Genetic sequencing found that they were infected with the Omicron variant.

They did nucleic acid testing in a hospital in Huadu before checking into their hotel on the night of Feb 14. Before their test results came out, they visited a total of 14 different sites across four districts in the city, including various luxury boutique stores in Tianhe district.

All exposure sites were disinfected. A total of 617 close contacts and 520 extended close contacts were identified and screened, all their nucleic acid test results returned negative. As of 2 pm on Feb 16, no new infections were reported.

Taikoo Hui and the Chimelong Paradise theme parks, both temporarily closed on Feb 15 due to COVID-19 control measures, reopen on Feb 16.

Authorities reminded the public to continue wearing masks and getting tested as soon as possible if notified via text message that they have been to areas of COVID suspicion.

People who had their health code turn yellow should get a nucleic acid test immediately and practice a seven-day home health monitoring and do three tests in seven days (on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th days), as the Omicron variant may have an average incubation period of three-four days.

Possible exposure sites in Guangzhou associated with the two confirmed positive cases are listed below:

Tianhe district:

The Mulian Hotel Guangzhou

Yufeng Branch of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China

LV, Taikoo Hui

Dior, Taikoo Hui

Lanshan Japanese Food, Huacheng Road

Maoshi Cafe, No 525 Tianhe Road

Tianhe Branch of China Telecom

Huadu district:

Hampton by Hilton

Clinic for Nucleic Acid Testing for Resumption of Work and Production, Guangzhou Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine Hospital (GZITWM)

Muslim Xinjiang Istan Food Town (Huadu)

Nansha district:

Lavande Hotel, and the Seven Eleven on the first floor

Bainian Lianxuan Store

Panyu district:

Chimelong Paradise