Spread of mutant virus "Delta strain" What is the current situation and countermeasures in the United States and China?

Infection of the highly infectious mutant virus "Delta strain" is spreading all over the world.

Of these, we have summarized the infection status and countermeasures in China and the United States.

Expansion of "Delta shares" from late July in China

China has adopted a policy of "zero corona" to suppress community-acquired infection of the new coronavirus to zero, but since late July, infection with the highly infectious mutant virus "Delta strain" has spread.

The infection spread after an infected person was found at an airport in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province on July 20, and it was confirmed that the infection had spread to at least 18 provinces and autonomous regions.

Local authorities have become more cautious about the spread of the infection during the summer tourist season, when people are moving more, and have urged citizens to refrain from unnecessary and unurgent business trips and trips.

In addition, we have taken strict measures such as blocking areas where the risk of infection is high and conducting large-scale PCR tests, just as when the infection spread.

As a result, on August 9, the number of newly infected people with community-acquired infections per day exceeded 100, but after that, it gradually began to decrease, and on the 16th and 17th, both were 6 It was a person.

The Chinese government wants to stop the current infection by the end of August, as the new school semester will start in September.

On the other hand, the Chinese government is also proceeding with a large-scale inoculation of the new corona vaccine, and as of August 12, the number of people who have been inoculated has exceeded 770 million, accounting for half of the total population. It has exceeded.

The Chinese government is accelerating its response by expanding the scope of vaccination to young people aged 12 and over.

Beijing vaccination 90% Behavior management with smartphones There are also economic concerns about strict measures

As vaccination progresses in various parts of China, it has been announced that more than 90% of citizens over the age of 18 have been vaccinated in Beijing, and restaurants and other places in the city have posted a sticker showing the vaccination rate of employees. There are also places.

However, even if vaccination progresses, the measures are being further strengthened as the government aims for "zero corona".

From the beginning of August, when visiting commercial facilities and parks, it is thorough to use the smartphone app to show that your risk of infection is low and to read the QR code to record the place you visited. It has been.

In addition, elementary and junior high schools are instructing students and teachers not to leave Beijing after August 15th, ahead of the new semester in September.

Citizens said, "I had a plan, but I couldn't go out of the city because of my child's school. It's a little disappointing." I can't go because of Corona. "

In addition, the number of visitors to major tourist facilities and parks in the city is limited to 60% or less of the normal number, and some facilities are closed.

In addition, travel agencies have been notified by the authorities to thoroughly manage tourists visiting Beijing, and the number of people at the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, which are World Heritage Sites, has decreased significantly compared to before Corona. ..

For this reason, it is a hurt for souvenir shops and restaurants in the city, which are usually in the tourist season.

A female souvenir shop clerk said, "Last month, I had a daily sales of RMB 2000, but yesterday it was RMB 30 and there are days when I want to close the shop in the red every day. I don't know if it's okay. "

In China, economic activity has been normalized and led to economic recovery by reducing the number of infected people in the city to zero.

On the other hand, if strict measures are taken each time the infection spreads again, the recovery of consumption may be delayed, and there is a debate about how long these measures should be taken.

Re-expansion with US "Delta strain" Movement to strengthen vaccination

In the United States, President Biden has been calling on the public to get vaccinated.

According to the CDC = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of August 16, 72% of people over the age of 18 have received at least one vaccination.

Economic activity in the United States was severed last year due to the effects of the spread of the virus, but it was reopening against the backdrop of widespread vaccination.

However, due to the spread of the mutant virus "Delta strain" in the United States, the number of infected people per day is increasing, and as of August 15, the average for 7 days was the peak of last summer. It is above the standard.

For this reason, efforts are expanding to continue uninterrupted economic activity by strengthening infection control measures such as requiring the presentation of vaccination certificates.

Pros and cons of mandatory vaccination certificate

There are pros and cons among New Yorkers over requiring the presentation of a certificate of vaccination against the new coronavirus.

Restaurant owners in favor of the mandate said, "I think every store has the same conditions and is better for the business than letting the store ask for a vaccination certificate. I had to close the store for 14 months. I don't want to go back to this time last year. "

"It's too early. You should have the right to decide whether or not to vaccinate, and you're afraid to lose your customers," said a restaurant owner who opposes the mandate.