This round of epidemics in Heilongjiang has been closely linked to multiple wedding banquets. What warning does this incident give us?

According to the Heilongjiang Provincial Health Commission’s report on September 27, from 00:00 to 24:00 on September 26, 2021, there were 11 new locally confirmed cases of new coronary pneumonia in Heilongjiang Province (1 case in Songbei District, Harbin City, 9 cases in Yan County and 1 case in Mulan County); 3 new cases of local asymptomatic infections (2 cases in Bayan County, Harbin City, 1 case in Beilin District, Suihua City).

As of 24:00 on September 26, 2021, there are currently 2 confirmed imported cases in the province; 49 confirmed local cases; and 5 local asymptomatic infections. Starting from 24:00 on September 26, Wanda Xiuyuan Community in Songbei District of Harbin City and Xingangwan Community in Beilin District of Suihua City have been adjusted to medium-risk areas.

Since the local confirmed cases of new coronavirus pneumonia appeared in Heilongjiang Province on September 21, all cases have been concentrated in Bayan County, a suburb of Harbin, and only one case has been in Nangang District, Harbin's central urban area. At the same time, the nucleic acid screening results of all employees are also very optimistic, which seems to make people feel that this round of epidemic will soon subside.

However, on the 25th, confirmed cases or positive infections began to appear in Harbin’s Mulan County, Songbei District and neighboring Suihua City. There are close contacts between people in these places. The reporter learned that among the current confirmed cases, more than 10 people have recently visited Suihua. The close and sub-close contacts of this round of epidemic also involve many wedding banquets. All these have added uncertainty to this round of epidemic, and the prevention and control situation is quite severe and complex. The working group of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council to Heilongjiang stated that the new cases indicate that the current epidemic in Heilongjiang has begun to spread from multiple points.

Previously, Heilongjiang Daqing City Epidemic Prevention Headquarters issued important reminders. Among the 13 close contacts currently identified in Daqing City, 12 were caused by attending wedding gatherings. We would like to urgently remind the general public to be the first person responsible for their own health. They should not participate in wedding banquets, dinners with relatives and friends, class reunions and other gathering activities before and after the National Day. We advocate delaying red events and keeping things simple. Take personal protection, wear masks, wash hands frequently, ventilate frequently, and avoid gathering to prevent cross-infection.