Because there is a single COVID-19 case, the Chinese authorities cordoned off the university in Beijing on Wednesday. Despite growing public discontent, the Chinese are sticking to their zero-Covid strategy. As several news agencies report with reference to a statement from the university, students and lecturers at the university were only allowed to leave the campus if necessary. In addition, mass tests were ordered.
Beijing reported more than 350 new cases in the past 24 hours, a fraction of its 21 million population but enough to trigger local lockdowns and quarantines as part of China's zero-Covid strategy. China reported about 20,000 cases nationwide on Wednesday, up from 8,000 a week ago.
Authorities are waiving citywide lockdowns to minimize the impact on free movement and the flagging economy. They want to avoid a repeat of the lockdown in Shanghai earlier this year, which paralyzed shipping and sparked protests in neighboring regions. Nevertheless, they impose lockdowns and carry out strict controls, contact tracing and forced quarantines. Nevertheless, the number of new infections has increased sharply again, especially in the past few weeks, while the particularly contagious omicron variants are spreading quickly. The people's displeasure with the ongoing strict measures is also growing.
Virtually every major city in the country is currently in lockdown. Earlier this week, protests erupted in the southern city of Guangzhou in a densely built-up area where migrant workers work in the garment industry. Videos posted online showed crowds tearing down barriers, though it was unclear exactly what excited them.
Guangzhou, an industrial export hub near Hong Kong, reported more than 6,000 new cases amid the country's largest ongoing outbreak. Other cities with larger outbreaks include Chongqing in the southwest, Zhengzhou in Henan province, and Hohhot, the capital of the Inner Mongolia region in the north.
In Zhengzhou, late last month, workers fled their dormitories at Apple supplier Foxconn's world's largest iPhone factory. Some climbed fences to get out. Apple then warned that there would be delays in delivery of the iPhone14 Pro models. Foxconn promised employees higher wages if they chose to return despite the restrictions.
Watch the video: Fever syrups and certain painkillers are among the drugs that are currently in short supply in many pharmacies. The reasons for this are the shortage of skilled workers and reduced production during the Corona period.
Sources: Associated Press, DPA
