BEIJING, (Reuters) – Beijing started three rounds COVID-19 testing Monday for residents in its largest district Chaoyang. This was after dozens were reported. People stockpiled food to avoid a strict Shanghai lockdown.

Chaoyang’s 3.45 million residents were ordered to test their health on Sunday by authorities. Beijing, who warned of the spread of the virus in Beijing, said the testing would be done this week.

Beijing has now reported 47 local cases since Friday. Chaoyang is responsible for the greater part of these.

Although the Chinese capital has a small caseload compared to others around the world and Shanghai’s hundreds of thousands, Chaoyang district advised residents to cut back on public activities and to suspend in-person tutoring classes.

However, many schools, shops, and offices were still open.

Chaoyang District is home many wealthy people, as well as most foreign embassies and entertainment venues. There is very little manufacturing.

Officials from the municipality said that “the current epidemic in Beijing is spreading slowly and stealthily, sources which remain unknown at this time” on Sunday.

Chaoyang’s buildings have been under lockdown. The rest of Chaoyang will see people being tested Monday through Friday.

As testing started, people waited in line at the makeshift locations manned by protective-suited medical personnel.

A man in his 30s waited in line for his test at his home.

Supermarket chains include Carrefour Wumart and EPA said that they have more than doubled their inventories and extended Sunday opening hours. Meanwhile, Meituan’s e-commerce site for grocery focused products increased stock and added staff to sort and deliver, according the Beijing Daily, state-backed.

Shanghai has seen a large number of residents locked down for several weeks. There is a shortage of couriers who can deliver food to the homes.

Zhang, a Beijing graduate student who goes by Zhang is an Omicron-transmissible Omicron suspect. Zhang placed orders online for 10 pounds of apples and dozens of snacks on Sunday. Zhang was worried about China’s harsh policy.

He said, “I am preparing for all the worst.”