BEIJING, Jul 4, 2022 (AFP) – Chinese authorities have ordered the imprisonment of 1.7 million people in Anhui province (east), where 300 new cases of covid-19 were recorded this Monday.
China is the last major economy to pursue a strict strategy against the coronavirus, based on quarantines and mandatory testing.
The Anhui epidemic, which authorities detected hundreds of cases last week, emerged as the Chinese economy began to recover from months of imprisonment in Shanghai and severe restrictions in the capital, Beijing.
Two counties in the state – Sixian and Lingbi – announced the incarceration of more than 1.7 million people who were only allowed to leave their homes to pass exams.
Footage from the state channel CCTV showed empty streets at Sixian over the weekend and people lining up for the sixth large-scale test operation in recent days.
The province reported 287 new infections Monday, including 258 asymptomatic people, bringing the total number of cases detected to just over 1,000, according to China’s National Health Commission.
Neighboring Jiangsu province reported 56 new cases in four cities on Monday.
While cases remain low relative to China’s large population, officials insist a “covid zero” policy is necessary to prevent a health disaster.
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source: Noticias
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