Omicron BF.7 subvariant leads to outbreaks

Highly infectious strain detected in Inner Mongolia, Guangdong, Shandong

At least three regions on the Chinese mainland have reported COVID-19 outbreaks involving the Omicron subvariant BF.7, increasing the pressure on local authorities in epidemic prevention and control.

The strain was first detected in an outbreak in Hohhot in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region in late September. In around 10 days since, the cities of Shaoguan, Guangdong province and Yantai, Shandong province had reported cases involving the subvariant.

A new round of mass nucleic acid testing was conducted in Hohhot on Monday, in an effort to control the sources of the infection and cut off transmission chains, local officials said.