China’s virus cases highest for two months

CHINA reported its highest daily total of new coronavirus cases in two months yesterday as infections in South Korea also rose. China had 57 new confirmed cases in 24 hours, the National Health Commission reported. That was the highest since mid-April and included 36 in the capital, Beijing.

Beijing’s cases were all linked to its biggest wholesale food market, which was shut down on Saturday, the official China News Service reported. The Xinfadi market was closed after 50 people tested positive for the virus.

The world is seeing more than 100,000 newly confirmed cases every day, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

China’s ruling Communist party eased most limits on business and travel after declaring victory over the disease in March. Some curbs still are in place, including a ban on most foreign travellers arriving in the country. On Saturday, authorities in Beijing locked down 11 residential communities near the Xinfadi market. White fencing sealed off a road leading to apartment buildings and drivers were required to show identification to enter the area.

South Korea reported 34 more cases. The Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said 30 were in the greater Seoul area, where half of the country’s 51 million people live. New cases have been linked to nightlife establishments, church services, a large-scale e-commerce warehouse and door-to-door sellers.

The Egyptian Health Ministry announced 1677 new confirmed cases. In the US, the number of new cases in the south-western state of Arizona has risen to more than 1000 per day from fewer than 400 when the state’s shutdown was lifted in mid-May.