Prognosis
Hamsters, Wings, Shrimp Ensnared by China’s Covid Zero Zeal
- Hong Kong suspects delta-variant cluster is linked to hamsters
- Beijing warns residents to minimize purchases from overseas
In August 2020, packaging of frozen shrimp brought in from Ecuador tested positive for coronavirus.
Photographer: Balint Porneczi/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
As the goal to stamp out coronavirus infection becomes harder to reach, with more transmissible variants and a world awash with the pathogen, mainland China and Hong Kong are pointing to a wide range of non-human routes as potential evaders of their strict control measures.
The crackdowns, which range from parcels to fish and four-legged pets, come despite experts outside of China warning such methods of transmission are unproven and unlikely.