Shanghai launches citywide antigen testing

Residents queue to take nucleic acid tests at a community in Hongkou District of east China's Shanghai, April 1, 2022. (YANG FAN / XINHUA)

SHANGHAI – Shanghai will conduct citywide antigen testing on Sunday and nucleic acid testing on Monday amid efforts to contain the recent resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the metropolis, according to local authorities.

The measures were aimed at completely eliminating potential risks, cutting off the chain of transmission, curbing the spread of the virus, and achieving dynamic zero-COVID as soon as possible, Wu Qianyu, an official with the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, told a press conference on Sunday.

Shanghai reported 438 confirmed locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and 7,788 asymptomatic carriers on Saturday

ALSO READ: Shanghai screens 14m people for virus in 2nd phase of lockdown

Authorities and suppliers in Shanghai are also racing to secure daily supplies to residents as the megacity, with a population of over 24 million, began temporary closed-off management in two phases to stop COVID-19 infections from spreading.

Shanghai has been working to increase sources of supplies and coordinate with suppliers to expand procurement channels, local authorities said.

Temporary vegetable warehouses have been set up for extra storage in the city and existing warehouses are boosting their capacity to deliver goods.

READ MORE: Official: COVID-19 infections rising rapidly in Shanghai

Local authorities have also issued passes to logistics companies to facilitate delivery to areas under closed-off management.

Shanghai reported 438 confirmed locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and 7,788 asymptomatic carriers on Saturday.