Ghostly silence in Shanghai (video): Due to the sharp rise in the number of corona infections, a strict lockdown was also imposed in the western district of the Chinese metropolis on Friday morning. That leaves another 16 million under house arrest. The eastern district was already cordoned off Monday.
There is now also a curfew in the west of the city, with a total of about 25 million inhabitants, in the east and south. Until Monday, people there will only be allowed to leave their homes for Covid 19 tests. This ends the first phase of the closure east of the Huangpu River that has been in effect since Monday.
Worst corona wave since the start of the pandemic
With the arrival of Omicron, China is experiencing the worst corona wave since the pandemic started two years ago. Although the numbers are low internationally, the government is pursuing a zero-covid strategy, which is being tested with the BA.2 variant. So far, authorities had successfully combated minor outbreaks with curfews, mass testing and quarantine. Whether the strategy will also work against Omikron remains to be seen.
Jilin Province and Shanghai most affected
Shanghai and Jilin Province in northeast China are currently the hardest hit. On Thursday, 358 new infections were reported in the port city, while a further 4,144 asymptomatic cases were counted, the Beijing Health Commission announced on Friday.
Nationally, there were 1,787 new infections and 5,442 asymptomatic infections, which are listed separately in China. All infected are taken to a hospital or quarantine facility. In Shanghai, sports stadiums and exhibition halls with beds have been equipped for insulation.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
