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Wuhan Marathon postponed as China battles COVID-19 spike

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Agence France-Presse 

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="University students attend an opening ceremony of the new semester in Wuhan in China" s="" central="" Hubei="" province="" on="" September="" Agence="" src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/reuters/10/25/wuhan.jpg"/><figcaption>University students attend an opening ceremony of the new semester in Wuhan in China&#x27;s central Hubei province on September 10, 2021. <em>Agence France-Presse</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>BEIJING - The Wuhan Marathon, which had been due to take place Sunday, has been postponed at short notice as worries increase over a coronavirus resurgence in China ahead of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.</p><p>China reported 26 new domestic Covid-19 cases on Sunday, in an outbreak that has become the latest test of the country&#x27;s zero-tolerance approach with just over 100 days until the start of the Games.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/10/24/21/china-warns-of-further-spread-in-new-covid-19-outbreak">China warns of further spread in latest COVID-19 flare-up</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/10/13/21/china-to-test-wuhan-residents-for-coronavirus-clues">China to test Wuhan residents&#x27; blood samples for virus clues</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/05/24/21/wuhan-lab-staff-sought-hospital-care-before-covid-19-outbreak-disclosed-wsj">Wuhan lab staff sought hospital care before COVID-19 outbreak disclosed - WSJ</a></li></ul><p>Authorities have been racing to contain virus infections via mass testing of residents and targeted lockdowns.</p><p>But with the rise in cases, organizers of the Wuhan Marathon said in a statement released late last week that they would postpone Sunday&#x27;s event in the central Chinese city &quot;to prevent the risk of epidemic spread&quot;.</p><p>The marathon was expected to have 26,000 participants taking part in races including full and half marathons in the city where coronavirus was first identified towards the end of 2019.</p><p>Next weekend&#x27;s 40th edition of the Beijing marathon could also be delayed, local media outlet Beijing Daily reported Sunday. Organizers did not immediately respond when contacted by AFP.</p><p>As China wrestles with its latest coronavirus spike, authorities on Sunday announced the suspension of cross-provincial tour groups in five areas where cases have been detected, including Beijing.</p><p>&quot;The risk that the outbreak spreads further is still increasing,&quot; warned National Health Commission spokesperson Mi Feng.</p><p>Some cities, including Gansu&#x27;s provincial capital of Lanzhou, and parts of Inner Mongolia have also suspended bus and taxi services, authorities said.</p><p>The recent spate of domestic infections involve a strain of the Delta variant from abroad, with most cases so far related to 13 tour groups or self-driving tours, said Wu Liangyou, another health official.</p><p>He cautioned that numbers will rise as virus testing continues.</p><div><strong>100 DAYS TO GAMES</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Greek actress Xanthi Georgiou, playing the role of High Priestess lights the torch with the flame during the ceremony. Louiza Vradi, Reuters" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/reuters/10/20/flame.jpg"/><figcaption>Greek actress Xanthi Georgiou, playing the role of High Priestess lights the torch with the flame during the ceremony. <em>Louiza Vradi, Reuters</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>The postponement and suspensions come as Beijing will on Wednesday mark 100 days before the Winter Olympics, which are set to open February 4. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/10/19/21/ioc-urged-to-postpone-genocide-beijing-winter-games">IOC urged to postpone &#x27;genocide&#x27; Beijing Winter Olympics</a></li></ul><p>Organizers admitted earlier this month that they &quot;face great pressure&quot; because of Covid-19.</p><p>The Games could be the most restricted mass sporting event since the pandemic began, with no international spectators allowed and a vaccine mandate for anyone entering a strictly enforced &quot;bubble&quot;.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/09/30/21/no-overseas-fans-allowed-at-2022-beijing-olympics">No overseas fans allowed at 2022 Beijing Olympics</a></li></ul><p>Athletes must be vaccinated or face 21-day quarantine upon entry to China.</p><p>Ahead of the Winter Olympics, Beijing has started to offer residents booster jabs for the coronavirus.</p><p>Officials added on Sunday that while booster shots are being given to key groups including high-risk personnel, further research is needed regarding a wider rollout.</p><p>&quot;Having to continuously strengthen immunization and continuously carry out booster shots is not our ultimate choice,&quot; said Wang Huaqing of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.</p><div><strong>Agence France-Presse </strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/USD9Re5RApA?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

The Wuhan Marathon, which had been due to take place Sunday, has been postponed as worries increase over a coronavirus resurgence in China.