Beijing launches probe into bar blamed for capital's COVID surge

The paper has repeatedly pointed the finger at an individual, dubbed Patient No. 1,991, for triggering the flare-up

Authorities in Beijing have launched an investigation into a 24-hour bar they believe to be at the centre of a cluster of more than 250 COVID-19 cases in China's capital since last week, domestic media said on Tuesday, Qazet.az reports.

A team of local government officials will work to investigate and deal with the Heaven Supermarket Bar "quickly, strictly and seriously", the state-backed Beijing Daily said.

All the city's bars, nightclubs, karaoke venues, internet cafes and other places of entertainment are being inspected, the paper said, with those in underground spaces being shut as epidemic prevention work is "tightened".

The paper has repeatedly pointed the finger at an individual, dubbed Patient No. 1,991, for triggering the flare-up. Careless behaviour has turned the individual into the "propagator" of the outbreak, the paper said on Tuesday.

Authorities in the city of 22 million say the individual did not take any COVID-19 test between May 26 and June 8, despite visiting a number of restaurants, bars and crowded places during the period.