Norwegian salmon not source of COVID-19 outbreak in Beijing: Authorities

After a sudden outbreak of COVID-19 cases in Beijing, Norwegian and Chinese authorities have concluded that the Norwegian salmon was not the source of coronavirus. The Norwegian salmon is broken down on cutting boards and sold at a Beijing food market.

The Norwegian Fisheries and Seafood Minister said on Wednesday (June 17), that the salmon may not likely be the primary source of the infection in the city.

After a meeting between Chinese and Norwegian officials on Tuesday (June 16), both countries have concluded that the source of the COVID-19 outbreak did not originate with the particular fish from the Nordic country.

Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen, Norwegian Fisheries Minister, said in a video conference that they can clear away uncertainty and the halt in salmon export to China.

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The sudden outbreak of COVID-19 in the Chinese capital, Beijing, over the past six days has altered the livelihood for residents in the city. While some fear that the entire city is headed for a lockdown as the number of new cases is on the rise.

China halted the import of European salmon after reports suggested that the virus was discovered on an equipment used for handling fish at Beijing’s Xinfadi market. This prompted supermarkets in the city to completely remove salmon from their shelves.

Norway’s Food Safety Authority said there was no evidence of the fish being infected with the virus, however, Norwegian salmon producers saw the orders from China cancelled over the weekend.