Covid-19 haunts Beijing with new cases every day

China continues to battle coronavirus as the Chinese capital city reported 21 new cases despite war-like measures imposed earlier this week.

Chinese health authorities said on Thursday that 28 new Covid-19 case were reported, of which 21 were registered in Beijing after a fresh outbreak at a wholesale food market in Beijing.

The new cases have been reported in Beijing, two in Hebei province, and one in Tianjin, according to Xinhua news agency, on the basis of the National Health Commission's daily report.

By Thursday morning, the total number of confirmed cases had reached 84,458, including 265 patients who were still being treated, with nine in a severe condition.

Beijing has rolled out unprecedented measures to contain the fresh coronavirus outbreak, reports Efe news. Authorities have embarked on a massive operation to test employees of tens of thousands of restaurants and food stalls, students at university campuses and food markets in Beijing.

After the new outbreak was reported on June 13, 356,000, nucleic acid tests have been carried out, Zhang Qiang, head of the municipal prevention team, said on Wednesday. Zhang added that health workers, those who live in residential complexes where there have been confirmed cases, officials, teachers and students who have resumed classes will all be tested.

Nearly 355,000 people related to the Xinfadi wholesale food market, will also be tested.

The city on Tuesday raised the response alert to level two from three (on a scale of one to four) but has implemented much stricter measures than those stipulated at level two, meaning a 'severe' public health event.

Beijing has disinfected 276 markets for agricultural products, closed 11 underground and semi-underground markets in addition to 33,173 home food delivery services.

A total of 4,638 people have reported to have died of the disease. By Wednesday, the mainland had reported a total of 1,860 imported cases..