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Beijing Faces Growing Covid Outbreak Before Olympics

  • Beijing reports two dozen cases linked to omicron, delta
  • Authorities blame imported frozen food, overseas mail
A nucleic acid test for Covid-19 at a private testing site in Beijing, on Jan 17. 

A nucleic acid test for Covid-19 at a private testing site in Beijing, on Jan 17. 

Photographer: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Bloomberg News

China’s capital reported a growing Covid-19 cluster linked to imported frozen food and international mail, putting greater pressure on authorities to contain the spread two weeks before the start of the Winter Olympic Games.

Beijing reported 12 Covid infections on Friday, bringing the total to nearly two dozen since last Saturday. While the number is negligible compared with the rampant infections seen elsewhere in the world, any tiny flareup is met with aggressive containment efforts in the highly guarded city.