China reported 31,454 local cases on Wednesday, of which 27,517 had no symptoms, according to the National Health Bureau. It is the highest single-day rise in China since the pandemic began.
The sudden increase in instances despite the zero-Covid policy in place has alarmed the authorities
Prior to Wednesday’s numbers, 29,390 Covid infections were reported in Shanghai in mid-April, the most ever reported in a single day. After it was put under lockdown, residents had to rush out to buy food and had limited access to medical treatment. The new cases were primarily reported in Beijing, the capital city, the southwest municipality of Chongqing, and the southern province of Guangdong.
The sudden increase in instances despite the zero-Covid policy in place has alarmed the authorities even if the number may seem minor compared to the enormous population of 1.4 billion. The increase occurs at a time when China is attempting to relax regulations in order to lessen the negative social and economic repercussions of its zero-Covid policy.
The State Council has requested that the new rules be implemented while also containing outbreaks
Under the harsh approach, even a minor outbreak may force the closure of an entire city and the tight quarantine of close connections. China released a 20-point plan earlier this year to loosen regulations, which included shortening the quarantine time and eliminating mass testing where the danger of transmission was minimal.
China’s cabinet, the State Council, had requested that the new rules be implemented while also containing outbreaks. The companies were asked by the Beijing health authorities on Wednesday to cut back on the number of employees working in offices, strictly monitor their health, and improve sanitation.
According to the South China Morning Post newspaper, travelers have been prohibited from entering public places like restaurants, shopping malls, supermarkets, gyms, and internet cafes for the past five days in Shanghai.
