China rolls out anal swab COVID-19 tests, saying it can 'increase detection rate'

Amid rising coronavirus cases in China, government has begun using anal swabs to test those it considers at high risk of contracting deadly virus. According to local media outlet CCTV, Chinese officials took anal swabs from residents of neighbourhoods with confirmed COVID-19 cases in Beijing. Those in designated quarantine facilities have also undergone test as localised outbreaks in recent weeks has been seen in multiple cities in rrn China. 

surge in COVID cases has prompted mass testing campaigns, which up until w have mostly been conducted using throat and se swabs. However, Li Tongzeng, who is a senior doctor from Beijing’s You’an Hospital, told media outlet that anal swabs method can “increase detection rate of infected people”. But anal swabs would t be used as widely as or methods as technique was “t convenient”. 

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China imposes stricter measures 

Meanwhile, with rising cases, China has imposed stricter requirements on international arrivals in an effort to keep domestic transmission close to zero. Last week, officials also imposed a partial lockdown in capital Beijing after a few cases of COVID-19 emerged in city. partial lockdown will prevent at least 1.6 million residents of district from leaving Beijing until furr tice. 

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Chinese authorities have banned garings of more than 50 people in city and also advised residents to do away with wedding celebrations for time being. Authorities have asked citizens to tone-down funeral garings and ordered all schools to shut down and conduct only online classes. This comes ahead of Lunar New Year celebrations, which has been curtailed by government due to COVID-19 concerns. 

China has mand to bring COVID-19 pandemic under control since it was first detected in country in December 2019. While most parts of world continue to report lakhs of cases, China, on or hand, is working to block few hundred infections from turning into a herd transmission by reimposing lockdowns and conducting mass testing. China has even begun iculating people with COVID-19 vaccine earlier this month as it has prioritised nine groups, including those at high risk of catching virus.

(Im: AP) 

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