China is reporting Covid deaths for the first time in six months, with officials warning the capital is facing its worst situation since the pandemic began. Three of her deaths have been reported in Beijing since Saturday, bringing the country’s official death toll to 5,229 for her. The deaths occurred during unusual protests against China’s coronavirus-free policy. The controversial strategy has imprisoned millions and forced citizens who tested positive into quarantine.
In Beijing, authorities have already imposed a lockdown in the capital’s Haidian district, closing shops, schools, and restaurants and urging three million people to stay at home. Those traveling to the capital will also be screened for the first three days of their visit and must remain indoors until all is cleared. Beijing, a city of more than 21 million people, has reported 316 new Covid cases to 15.
Liu Xiaofeng, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said the situation was the most complicated and serious the city had ever seen, the news agency added. China says its strict zero-coronavirus policy means far fewer coronavirus deaths than in the rest of the world, but the actual number could be much higher. It is being considered, but there have been repeated reports of delays. Restricted areas or quarantine facilities. There has been a wave of outrage online in recent days following reports that a baby died due to medical delays due to Covid restrictions.
Earlier this month, angry demonstrations erupted in the western city of Lanzhou after a father said he died of carbon monoxide poisoning for being late in taking his young son to the hospital. There have been reports in the province that a 14-year-old girl fell ill and died at a Covid quarantine center. Elsewhere, Hong Kong leader John Lee tested positive for Covid, a day after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit in Thailand.
