Fewer new cases in China, Hubei 'clean' for sixth day, authorities encourage economic recovery

(Patria) - China has recorded a decrease in the number of new coronavirus infections for the fourth day, which are now mainly imported cases.

One of the reasons for the improvement in the general picture in the country where it all began is attributed to the strict measures taken by the authorities, which now also include closing borders to foreign nationals, while Chinese citizens returning to the country are directed to a two-week quarantine.

On Sunday, 31 new cases were recorded, including one locally transmitted case, which is significantly less than the 45 recorded the previous day. The total number of deaths is 3,304, an increase of 4 from the previous day, while the total number of infections is 81,470.

As the epidemic subsides, authorities are taking steps to revive the economy, which has been destabilized by a four-month standstill, encouraging factories and businesses to reopen their doors with financial incentives. Thus, 5,000 companies have received loans totaling $28 billion out of a total of $300 billion allocated to help companies restart their businesses.

The segment that China cannot currently influence, and which will continue to keep the country's economy in distress, is exports and imports, which are blocked due to the pandemic.

However, there is still fear of a second wave of infection, especially imported cases, as students continue to return from abroad. Many Chinese fear returning to work due to the large number of asymptomatic and presymptomatic cases.

In Hubei province, where the epidemic originated at the end of last year, there have been no new cases of infection for the sixth day.

However, Gansu province reported a new case of a traveler from Hubei province who arrived with a clean health certificate and tested positive for the virus.