China reports sharp rise in Covid-19 cases with 5,280 new infections

This article is more than 12 months old

Mar 15, 2022 11:06 am

BEIJING (AFP) - China on Tuesday (March 15) reported 5,280 new Covid-19 cases, more than double the previous day and the highest daily count since the start of the pandemic.

The worst-hit area is the northeastern province of Jilin, which accounted for more than 3,000 cases, according to the National Health Commission.

Tuesday was the sixth day in a row that China had reported more than 1,000 new virus cases.

China had successfully suppressed large-scale outbreaks through its strict "zero-Covid-19" strategy, which involve hard lockdowns that confine huge sections of the population to their homes.

At least 10 cities and counties nationwide have been locked down because of the latest surge, including the southern tech hub of Shenzhen, home to 17 million people.

An outbreak at Volkswagen Group factories in the northeastern city of Changchun also prompted three sites to shut on Monday for at least three days, according to a spokesman.

The rise in cases, typically seen during the year-end, is likely due to increased social gatherings and holiday travel.

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Various other cities including Shanghai have sealed off neighbourhoods and buildings.

China's aviation regulator also announced it will divert 106 international flights scheduled to arrive in Shanghai to other domestic cities from March 21 to May 1 due to the Covid-19 situation.

The impacted flights include those operated by Air China, China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines, Juneyao Air and Spring Airlines, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said.

China's health officials have warned tighter restrictions could be on their way.

The governor of Jilin vowed to go all-out to "achieve community zero-Covid-19 in a week" during an emergency meeting on Monday night, state media reported.