A “superspreader” vendor has been linked to more than 100 COVID-19 cases after passing through northeastern China promoting products for the elderly, according to reports.
The 45-year-old unknowingly spread the virus when he traveled from his home province of Heilongjiang to neighboring Jilin Province, Agence France-Presse reported.
While traveling to the region to provide health care workshops for the elderly, the asymptomatic man boarded at least four trains before officers followed him, the South China Morning Post reported.
Jilin health officials said 102 infections were linked to his trip to Gongzhuling and Tonghua cities.
“The phenomenon of spread occurred in our province, mainly because when the superspar was discovered, it was still in its early stages of infection and had a relatively strong ability to shed the virus,” said Zhao Qinglong, an official with Jilin Province disease prevention center, Xinhua state media said.
The outbreak comes as more than 3 million people in the province have been placed under blockade, AFP reported.
Officials are investigating whether the health clubs in which the seller had his programs violated any guidelines, they reported to the press.