China’s Covid spread persists after mega-city lockdown

NEW coronavirus cases in China stayed at elevated levels on Friday (Sep 2) following the lockdown of a mega-city of 21 million, as the nation pursues its rigid Covid-zero policy with dogged determination.

The country reported 1,819 new local Covid-19 infections on Friday in 25 out of its 32 provinces and municipalities, according to a statement of National Health Commission. That compares with 1,885 reported Thursday.

Chengdu, the nation’s sixth-largest city which was ordered to lock down on Thursday, reported 155 new local Covid-19 cases on Friday, edging up from the 150 the previous day. The lockdown will last at least 4 days, throttling an economy that makes up 1.7 per cent of China’s gross domestic product. 

The technology hub of Shenzhen reported 87 new infections on Friday, stoking fears of a second lockdown in the wake of a seven-day one in mid-March.

Tibet reported the most cases of all provinces, with 589 new infections on Friday, the vast majority of them asymptomatic. China’s north-eastern province of Heilongjiang reported 235 new cases, while Sichuan, whose capital is Chengdu, reported 202 new infections on Friday. BLOOMBERG