Tourism leads to COVID-19 infection cluster

A recent cluster of COVID-19 infections have been linked to activities involving large gatherings at tourism attractions, performances or group travel, based on recent tracking information released by local health authorities.

A total of 777 tourists who attended shows at a theater in the Taohuayuan scenic area of Changde, Hunan province, are believed to be at high risk of coronavirus infection after one of the show's directors was confirmed with the virus, the scenic area's disease control and prevention center said on Sunday. They are required to report to their residential communities or local disease control and prevention centers immediately for testing.

The director, surnamed Zhang, took a sightseeing boat in Changde on July 24. To date, at least 17 people related to sightseeing boats have tested positive for COVID-19, including three from Chengdu, Sichuan province, 13 from cities in Hunan province and one from Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region.

At least nine people associated with a show at another theater in the Wulingyuan scenic area in Zhangjiajie, Hunan province, have tested positive for COVID-19.

Group travelers are also at high risk of coronavirus infection. Five people in a group that visited Zhangjiajie have been tested positive for COVID-19. The infection of a tour guide was later confirmed. Two people in Jingzhou, Hubei province, who went to a railway station where the group had taken a train were later confirmed with COVID-19.