The overall case load has remained low by global standards, with just over 300 daily local infections, but any potential further increases in key cities could call for a return to strict measures under China’s “COVID” policy. zero momentum” and undermine confidence in the country’s economic recovery.
Shanghai, which lifted its two-month lockdown in early June, is testing all residents of nine of its 16 districts from Tuesday to Thursday, as well as those in parts of three other districts.
It also suspended operations at karaoke halls following cases related to a KTV lounge, but the gradual reopening of cinemas and performance halls from Friday will continue, said Jin Lei, an official with the cultural authority and tourism in Shanghai, during a press briefing on Wednesday.
“Several Chinese regions are facing local epidemics and infections have appeared in Shanghai communities, which we must attach great importance to,” warned Zhao Dandan, Shanghai health official, during the press briefing.
“We must not slack off,” Zhao said.
The financial hub of around 25 million people reported 24 domestically transmitted infections on Tuesday, official data showed on Wednesday, up from eight the day before.
DEVELOPING GROUPS
The Chinese capital, Beijing, which detected six local cases on Tuesday after three the previous day, on Wednesday urged transport hubs and hotels to strictly implement preventive measures such as checking visitors’ body temperatures and their evidence of results. negative on the tests.
In the eastern province of Anhui, where more than a million residents of small towns are under lockdown, the number of cases fell slightly on Tuesday, from 231 to 222, but still accounts for the majority of daily infections in mainland China.
Starting Wednesday, the city of Xian in the northwest of the country activated a seven-day suspension of activities at various entertainment venues, restaurant meals and major events. The city, which has a population of 13 million, reported 11 local infections for July 5, up from nine a day earlier.
China reported a total of 353 locally transmitted infections on July 5 on the mainland, including 112 asymptomatic cases and 241 symptomatic cases, the National Health Commission said on Wednesday.
There were no new deaths, like the day before, keeping the nation’s death toll at 5,226.
As of Tuesday, China had confirmed 226,176 cases with symptoms, including local cases and those found in international travellers.