Guangzhou city says 111 Africans have tested positive for coronavirus
A total of 111 Africans in China’s southern city of Guangzhou had tested positive for the novel coronavirus as of Monday, the Xinhua news agency said on Tuesday.
Among them, 19 were imported cases, Xinhua quoted Chen Zhiying, executive vice mayor of Guangzhou, as saying.
A total of 4,553 African people in the city had undergone nucleic acid testing since April 4, Chen said.
China on Monday dismissed allegations by African and US diplomats that foreigners of African appearance in the city of Guangzhou were being subjected to forceful testing for the coronavirus, quarantines and ill treatment.
Several African countries have demanded that China tackle their concerns that Africans in Guangzhou are being mistreated and harassed amid fears the virus could spread from imported cases.
Last week, the city’s US consulate said local government officials were ordering bars and restaurants not to serve clients who appeared to be of African origin.
Anyone with “African” contacts faced mandatory virus tests followed by quarantine, regardless of recent travel history or previous isolation, it said in a statement, advising African-Americans or those who feared being targeted to stay away.
