02/05/2022 17:02 (act 02/05/2022 17:02)
Shanghai has suffered a setback in the fight against the corona pandemic. ©REUTERS/Aly Song – RC22NF9MD3D3/File Photo
The Chinese economic metropolis of Shanghai has suffered a setback in the fight against the spread of the corona pandemic. On Monday, authorities reported 58 new cases outside the isolated areas.
No new corona infections were known over the weekend, which gave many of the approximately 26 million residents hope that the lockdown, which lasted more than four weeks, would be relaxed.
Setback in the fight against the corona pandemic in Shanghai
Half the population of the metropolis was only able to leave their homes for the first time on Friday. But millions remain trapped, some trapped in gated communities. Many people struggle to obtain basic necessities.
Images of overloaded clinics and morgues
While officials have said the situation is improving, images that have surfaced on social media have unsettled the public – at a time when the city’s clinics and morgues are overwhelmed. Investigations were launched into five police officers on Monday after videos showed an elderly man from a nursing home being placed in a body bag and taken to a morgue. It was later discovered that the person was still alive.
32 new deaths were reported in Shanghai on Sunday
However, many people are encouraged by data showing a positive trend. 32 new deaths were recorded on Sunday, six fewer than the day before. “There is hope for May”, commented a user of the social network Weibo. However, new fences were erected in some apartment blocks to insulate them.
Omicron variant puts China’s “zero Covid” policy to the test
The fast-spreading omicron variant is putting China’s “zero Covid” policy to the test. Ironically, in the year that President Xi Jinping wants to secure a third term. In most other regions of the world, governments have now relaxed crown requirements.
Beijing tightened restrictions on residents
In Beijing, on the other hand, restrictions for the 22 million inhabitants have been tightened, as dozens of new cases have been known for days. So far, there has been no lockdown, instead mass testing is intended to help locate and contain infections. Twelve districts of Beijing, including the larger Chaoyang, where nightlife and embassies are located, will undergo three more rounds of corona tests between May 3 and 5, a local official said. Chaoyang is responsible for most infections. The capital’s restaurants are closed, some apartment blocks are isolated.
There were a total of 7,822 new corona cases in China on Sunday
Overall, the People’s Republic reported 7,822 new cases of corona on Sunday. The day before, there were 8,329, according to the National Health Commission.