New infections after five ‘covidfree’ days
China summary
SHANGHAI: Shanghai reported new Covid19 cases outside quarantined areas for the first time after five days of no infections, prompting stricter curbs in a district, but plans to end a prolonged citywide lockdown on June 1 appeared to remain on track.
The commercial hub of 25 million citizens found three new cases outside quarantined areas in one district on May 19. Infections also rose inside strictly controlled areas.
All three, from the same family, had taken three vaccine doses, and their infection was discovered during regular testing in Qingpu district, authorities said.
They had not left Xujing Town in the district for the past 14 days, but recently visited at least four places, including a supermarket, all of which were now closed off to the public and undergoing disinfection, authorities added.
The town’s more than 200,000 people have since been retested and all results were negative, the authorities said.
‘‘Our district will follow the precise prevention and control measures, do a good job in epidemic prevention and control and achieve dynamic clear
Family of three catch Covid outside Shanghai’s quarantined areas. Plans to ease curbs in May and lift lockdown in June still on.
More and more cities in China bringing Covid under control.
ing as soon as possible,’’ Zhang Yan, deputy head of Qingpu district, told an online press conference.
City officials said parks would reopen in Shanghai suburbs from tomorrow, while other parks could do so from June if they met certain conditions. However, any leisure facilities inside the parks would remain closed.
Beijing, home to 22 million people, reported 62 new Covid infections for May 19, up from 55 a day earlier.
China’s capital has struggled to end an outbreak since late April despite significant curbs on movement, with many Beijing residents working from home and a range of shops and venues closing. Beijing’s daily caseload has remained in the dozens rather than exploding like in Shanghai and most major cities. — Reuters