Medical workers feel the heat

Samples of the virus were discovered on chopping boards used to handle imported salmon at the market. People who work at fresh food markets and catering businesses around the city are also required to be tested for the virus before they can resume work.

As disease control and prevention workers have been busy verifying the details of those who have been in and around the market area, laboratories have been operating 24 hours a day to analyze throat swab samples. The city has 98 laboratories that can test about 90,000 samples a day, according to the Beijing Municipal Health Commission.

The Beijing government is aware that the sooner it can complete screening high-risk populations, the quicker the situation can be brought under control.

Of the 106 confirmed cases reported from June 11 to Monday, 65 were identified via nucleic acid testing.