Over 28,000 new infections nationwide, were reported. Guangdong province and the city of Chongqing hold the majority of the cases.
On 22 Nov 2022, China reported new data on COVID-19 cases that forced restrictions to take place once again. Sending schools back to online learning, restaurants closing and employees working remotely.
Guangdong province reported 16,000 new cases and Chongqing reported 6,300. While Beijing reports a pandemic record for the city of 1,438 doubling from last Sunday’s reported cases of 621. The announcement of the first death after six months was followed by two more COVID-19-related death reports in the capital.
While we watch most of the world living with COVID-19 and adopting a “new normal”, China has remained strict with its “zero COVID-19” strategy that depends on mass tests, border controls and lockdowns when cases are reported.
As per the authorities of the city authorities, people arriving from different parts of the country to the capital would have to undergo a three-day COVID testing before they are allowed to leave their homes or designated accommodation.
Investors continue to express their concerns as Asian share markets and oil prices dip amid the intensifying situation in China on COVID-19.
Aside from groceries selling necessities, other stores in the district appear to be shut and streets remain to seem quiet. Most restaurants, too, continue to stay closed, however, others showed signs of “takeout only”.
Last week, the northern city of Shijiazhuang started to cut down on routine community COVID-19 testing. But on Sunday, the city made an announcement that it will be conducting mass testing in the next five days in six out of its eight districts after daily cases reported hit 641. It urged its residents to purchase goods online and asked some schools to refrain from face-to-face classes.
Oxford Economics expressed that it can only expect a departure from the zero-COVID strategy in the 3rd quarter of 2023. Expecting that the rate of vaccinated elderlies is still comparatively low.
