China reported on Friday a total of 25 new patients Covid-19 in Beijing, and published the genome of the coronavirus found in a recent outbreak of the city, which would present similarities with a european origin.
The Pekingese had resumed an almost normal life after two months without contamination. But a rebound of the epidemic since last week has resulted in the containment of neighbourhoods and the screening of tens of thousands of people.
The wholesale market Xinfadi, the main place of supply of fruits and vegetables to Beijing, is believed to be the source of new infection. The virus has been discovered on cutting boards are the imported salmon.
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The authorities have published in the night from Thursday to Friday, new information about the rebound of the epidemic, and shared the genome of the virus with the world health Organization (WHO) and the foreign scientists.
“Judging by the preliminary results of the epidemiology genomics, this virus will come to Europe“said Zhang Yong, a senior official of the chinese Center for control and prevention of diseases.
“But it is different from (the strain) of the virus that is currently circulating in Europe. It is olderin general, ” he said in an article published by the national commission on anti-corruption.
In the clear, according to him, it could be a version that have circulated on the european continent there are several weeks or months.
Hypotheses on the origin
Zhang Yong evokes several assumptions: the virus could have come from Europe via frozen food, or was for a long time on the market, Xinfadi, where he could have taken advantage of the moisture and darkness to survive — hence, its similarity with strains of old.
“It is possible that the virus that causes today an epidemic in Beijing, has traveled from Wuhan to Europe and is now back in China“says Ben Cowling, a professor at the School of public health, University of Hong Kong.
In total, Beijing has up to now 183 patients Covid-19 due to the new outbreak, according to the official figures.
China continues to refuse entry on its territory of foreigners and has very greatly reduced the number of routes international.
According to the ministry of Health, the country has a total of 293 patients Covid-19 — the highest level since the beginning of may.
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