Shanghai faces a shortage of essentials as the epidemic increases

Shanghai reported nearly 25,000 new COVID-19 cases on April 10, when residents of the most populous city China complained about problems with the supply of essentials, and worried that many cities could soon find themselves in a similar situation, CNA reported.

The streets of the financial center of 26 million people are deserted as the city implements a zero-COVID policy and only healthcare workers, volunteers, delivery workers or those with special permission go out. .

The number of new COVID-19 cases in Shanghai is thought to be small compared to some cities around the world, but it is China’s worst COVID-19 outbreak since the virus emerged in the city of Wuhan. Han in 2019. The city has adopted an exclusion strategy of testing, monitoring and isolating all those who are positive for COVID-19 to prevent the spread of the virus.

These restrictive measures have squeezed Shanghai’s supply of food and other essentials. Many supermarkets have been closed and thousands of delivery trucks have not been able to operate. Even access to medical care is a concern here, according to CNA.

Videos on the Internet in recent days showed some residents protesting to security guards and medical staff in protective gear, many shouting that they needed food.

The CEO of e-commerce giant JD.com and food delivery service Ele.me attended the city’s daily briefing, seeking to convince residents that the measures will eventually decrease.

JD.com vice president Wang Wenbo said he understands concerns about delivery speeds and that the company is focusing on basic food and baby care items. At the same time, Ele.me Senior Vice President Xiao Shuixian said his company added 2,800 delivery workers in the past week.

Residents in some Chinese cities have also expressed concern in social media groups that their own cities may be in a similar situation.

City government Beijing also locked down a high-risk area on April 10 after eight new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the past two weeks, said Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters.