It is the highest number of corona infections in more than two years: In China, several large cities have to go into lockdown. Among them is the metropolis of Shenzhen.
Munich/Shenzhen – The coronavirus pandemic* is back in China. If the huge Asian country with its around 1.4 billion inhabitants believed the virus had been defeated, new lockdowns have now been imposed in several million metropolises – given the highest number of corona infections * in two years. The authorities said the number of infections had doubled to almost 3,400 within a day. This is the highest number of new infections since February 2020.
Corona in China: 17 million metropolis Shenzhen is in lockdown
In the economic metropolis of Shenzhen, one of the largest cities in the country, the authorities therefore imposed a one-week curfew on all 17 million inhabitants. The residents also have to undergo three rounds of corona tests, the authorities said. Shenzhen borders Hong Kong, which is currently struggling with a violent corona wave.
After the first cases in Shenzhen, the authorities had already cordoned off the city’s business center, but the virus continued to spread. On Sunday (March 13), the authorities then reported 66 new cases of infection – a fraction of the 32,430 new cases registered in Hong Kong. But that’s not all: In the city of Jilin in northeastern China*, a lockdown was imposed in numerous quarters, and all residents had to complete six rounds of corona tests. Since Saturday, more than 2,200 new infections with the omicron variant of the corona virus have been reported from Jilin alone. According to state media reports, the mayor was deposed.
Corona in China: Changchun, a city of 9 million, orders a lockdown
In the neighboring city of Changchun, which has a population of nine million, the authorities had already ordered a lockdown on Friday (March 11). The head of the health commission there was also dismissed. Since Sunday, all 700,000 residents of the city of Yanji on the border with North Korea have not been able to leave their homes.
In Shanghai, however, several residential complexes were cordoned off for two days and a number of schools, restaurants and shopping centers were closed. If you want to visit or leave the metropolis, you need a negative corona test.
In the video: Stress test for China’s zero-Covid strategy
The corona virus was first discovered in China at the end of 2019. However, the country was able to contain the incidence of infection quite quickly with a strict zero-Covid policy* in its territory. As soon as a single case of infection occurred, the authorities imposed strict measures such as curfews, the sealing off of entire districts and mass tests.
Nevertheless, the People’s Republic is experiencing the worst corona crisis in two years, and the virus is active in 18 provinces. Doubts about the zero-Covid strategy are also growing. Prime Minister Li Keqiang said a week ago in his annual address to the National People’s Congress that the country must “constantly optimize” its measures against the epidemic.
Corona in China: authorities are pushing for milder measures
Local authorities in particular are increasingly pushing for milder and more targeted measures to contain the virus. On Friday, the state health commission announced it would make rapid antigen tests available to all citizens for “self-checking” in addition to the usual PCR tests. (pm) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
