BEIJING: Chinese health officials have reiterated their commitment to the ‘dynamic-clearing’ approach to COVID-19 cases as soon as they emerge, as the country on Sunday reported its highest number of new COVID-19 infections in six months.
Beijing: Six Month High Covid-19 Count
There were 4,610 new COVID-19 infections on Saturday, of which 588 were symptomatic and 4,022 were asymptomatic. Still, the annual Beijing marathon took place on Sunday morning under strict COVID-19 protocols.
On Saturday health officials said they were sticking with strict coronavirus curbs, likely disappointing recent investor hopes for an easing.
While case numbers are extremely low by global standards, China has stuck with a zero-COVID approach nearly three years into the pandemic that involves lockdowns, quarantines, frequent testing and a drastic decrease in inbound travel.
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At a news conference on Saturday, health officials said China’s anti-COVID-19 measures are “completely correct, as well as the most economical and effective.” Disease control official Hu Xiang said: “We should adhere to the principle of putting people and lives first, and the broader strategy of preventing imports from outside and internal rebounds.”
China’s capital Beijing reported 43 symptomatic and six asymptomatic cases, compared with 37 symptomatic and five asymptomatic cases the previous day. Still, the annual Beijing marathon took place on Sunday morning under strict COVID-19 protocols, after being cancelled the previous two years.
Some 26,000 participants registered for the event that began under smoggy skies in central Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. Runners were required to take PCR tests for the three days leading up to the race and not to leave Beijing for seven days.
