China Reports Highest Ever Daily COVID-19 Cases... Emergency in Quarantine Measures

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Kim Hyunjung] China's COVID-19 cases have surged to an all-time high, putting the quarantine authorities on high alert.

According to the National Health Commission of China on the 24th, the number of new COVID-19 cases nationwide reached 31,444 the previous day, surpassing 30,000 for the first time. Excluding 1,690 cases that China claims are duplicates due to reclassification from asymptomatic to symptomatic, the figure stands at 29,754, exceeding the previous record set during the Shanghai lockdown (April 13, 28,937 cases). Most Chinese portals and media outlets report the number of confirmed cases without excluding these duplicates.

Due to the rapid increase in cases, the quarantine authorities have effectively abandoned the previously announced "precision quarantine" and have moved to full lockdown measures. From today, Shenyang in Northeast China is conducting PCR testing for all residents in nine urban districts for five days and restricting population movement. Shanghai is also requiring all newly arrived individuals in the city to refrain from entering public institutions for five days.

Beijing, considered the "heart" of quarantine efforts, has begun partial lockdowns. Authorities have recommended movement restrictions and imposed lockdowns in some areas such as Chaoyang and Haidian districts. Shops, schools, and restaurants have been closed.