NEWS / China battles Covid in Shanghai
Imagine all the residents of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, and San Jose (the 10 largest U.S. cities) quarantined in their homes.
Shanghai Covid cases spike
Shanghai, China has a similar population, 26 million. All of its citizens have been confined to their homes as China continues its dynamic zero-Covid approach. Dynamic zero-Covid means China quickly isolates anyone who tests positive for Covid (even those who are asymptomatic or are mildly ill). China has recommitted itself to zero-Covid. Sun Chunlan, who sits on the ruling Communist Party's Politburo, urged “resolute and swift moves to stem the spread of COVID-19 in Shanghai in the shortest time possible."
In this latest round of Covid, nearly 100,000 cases have been diagnosed in Shanghai. On Monday, April 4, 13,354 new cases were reported. On Wednesday, 16,766 cases were reported. On Friday, 21,000 new cases were reported.
Covid-response highlights
The director of Shanghai's working group on epidemic control, Gu Honghui, was quoted by state media as saying that the outbreak in the city was “still running at a high level."
This outbreak is due to the omicron BA.2 variant, which is much more infectious but also less lethal than the previous delta strain.
Shanghai residents are required to self-test for COVID-19 daily and take precautions including wearing masks at home and avoiding contact with family members.
At least 38,000 medical personnel have been deployed to Shanghai from other parts of China, including 2,000 from the military.
Covid diagnosed parents are separated from their children, including from infant children. Entire cities, including Shanghai, are locked down because of a few cases.
Activity in China’s services sector contracted at the steepest pace in two years in March as the surge in cases restricted mobility and weighed on demand.
The closely watched Caixin purchasing managers’ index (PMI) dived to 42.0 in March from 50.2 in February. A drop below the 50-point mark separates growth from contraction.
More than 1.24 billion people across the Chinese mainland have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of April 5.
Video: In response to residents of Songjiang Jiuting Homeland joining in song from their balconies, a drone in Shanghai tells residents: “Everyone, don't sing collectively on the balcony. Please control the soul's desire for freedom.” See the video here.
Sources: Yahoo (1) (2), CBS News, Sixth Tone, The Guardian, Xinhua, China.org, Reuters