Record high in China’s COVID-19 cases as lockdowns expand
China on Thursday reported a record number of COVID-19 cases – the highest in the country since the pandemic began – with spreading outbreaks in cities ranging from the capital Beijing in the north to the southern manufacturing hub of Guangzhou in the south testing the government’s “zero-COVID” strategy. The National Health Commission on Thursday reported 31,444 cases, the highest daily number since the pandemic began, surpassing the previous peak in April when Shanghai was in the midst of a harsh two month-long lockdown. The new outbreaks have tested the Chinese government’s current “zero-COVID” approach, with the leadership earlier this month announcing 20 new easing measures calling for a more “targeted” approach and to avoid sweeping lockdowns. While China’s lockdowns worked effectively in the first year of the pandemic and helped the country avoid a major second wave unlike the rest of the world, the continuing approach has exacted a heavy toll on the public and the economy, and has also struggled with containing the more transmissible Omicron variant.
Discover Related
China Focus: North China braces for gale-force winds
Beijing implements emergency measures as extreme winds sweep through capital
China Focus: North China braces for gale-force winds
Beijing implements emergency measures as extreme winds sweep through capital
Now is the time for a COVID-19 synthesis
Beijing introduces measures to boost pharmaceutical innovation
The bad side-effects of China’s campaign to cut drug costs
States sue Trump administration for rescinding billions in health funding
China expects relatively mild spring and summer epidemic season
China poses biggest military, cyber threat to US, say intel chiefs
China beats global average in tackling TB cases
Over 5,500 liver experts to attend Asia-Pacific meeting in Beijing
Over 5,500 liver experts to attend Asia-Pacific meeting in Beijing
China's clean air policies may lead to hospital admissions reduction: study