Shanghai fights fiercely with the Covid-19 epidemic

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) quoted updated data on April 22 as saying that Shanghai recorded 17,629 more Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, 4.7% less than a day earlier. The number of symptomatic Covid-19 cases decreased by 26.7% to 1,931, the highest decrease since March 1, while 11 patients died.

From March 1 to April 22, Shanghai reported a total of 443,500 Covid-19 cases related to the latest outbreak caused by the Omicron variant.

The city government continues to tighten the blockade order until April 26. The restrictions that are being imposed are making it difficult for healthcare workers, health officials, delivery people and community volunteers in restricted areas to travel.

A street corner in Shanghai on April 21. Photo: Reuters

The most recent blockade order expired on April 20. However, Shanghai officials recognize that Covid-19 is spreading in low-risk areas that have not recorded any Covid-19 cases in the past 14 days. So they decided to impose 9 new measures, including mass testing, tracing… to contain the Omicron outbreak.

Shanghai is also conducting additional mass testing across the city, with a frequency dependent on the risk of infection in each region. By implementing the goal of “no Covid-19” in unprotected areas, Shanghai will focus on preventing Covid-19 from spreading from risk areas and hospitals to the outside.

Chinese Vice Premier Sun Xuan Lan earlier urged local governments to constantly trace, isolate and treat all cases of Covid-19 in China.

“Efforts need to be stepped up to eliminate the SARS-CoV-2 virus from the roads and cities where the Covid-19 epidemic is spreading. We must speed up the pursuit of the goal of “no Covid-19″” – Ms. Ton spoke at a conference on April 21.