China tests 2M people in Beijing for COVID-19 as Olympics loom

Chinese health officials have tested 2 million Beijing residents for COVID-19 less than two weeks before the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, The Associated Press reported amid a small spike of around 40 confirmed cases since Jan. 15.

Authorities have also announced that residents who have purchased fever, cough or certain other medicines in the past two weeks will have to take a coronavirus test within 72 hours, according to the AP. 

“The current epidemic prevention situation is still grim and complicated, and all departments across the city must act proactively and swiftly,” city spokesperson Xu Hejian said in a statement. 

“The overall situation is controllable,” Xu added. 

The Chinese government has implemented new coronavirus precautions amid growing concerns around the February Winter g=Games. 

China has aggressively pursued a “zero-tolerance” COVID-19 policy as the pandemic drags on into another year.

Sports media outlets ESPN and NBC Sports announced last week that they won’t send journalists to the Olympics due to COVID-19 concerns. 

Olympic organizers said Monday that more than 3,000 people, including over 300 athletes and team officials, plus media and other participants, had already arrived for the two-week event.

As of now, 78 people involved with the games, including an athlete and team official, have tested positive for the virus, the AP reported.