New corona infections in China at highest level in six months The time has come: there are eight billion people in this world

The number of daily new infections with the corona virus in China has risen to the highest level in six months. More than 7,400 cases were reported, as the National Health Commission announced in Beijing on Tuesday. This is the highest level since the eastern Chinese port city of Shanghai went into lockdown for two months in March and April.

As the rest of the world tries to live with the virus, China is implementing a strict zero-Covid strategy with lockdowns, mass testing every day, strict monitoring, contact tracing and forced quarantine. Despite this, the number of new infections is increasing every day, while easily contagious Omicron variants are spreading rapidly. The number has tripled in two weeks.

According to foreign estimates, lockdowns affect tens of millions of people, who are responsible for a tenth of economic output. Hopes of an easing of the zero-tolerance policy disappointed health authorities again last weekend. The only prospect was that the strict measures would be modified to reduce impact, costs and duration.

Lockdowns are no longer openly discussed, but rather “temporary controls” or “shutdown”. Neighborhoods are gradually being closed so that no major announcements are made, which surprises many residents.

Public discontent is growing. Residents of megacities have to prove a negative PCR test on the Corona app at the entrances of supermarkets, residential complexes or restaurants. It should not be older than 48 or 72 hours. They also have to scan themselves with their mobile phone so that their movements can be tracked. Anyone identified as possible contact should isolate themselves.

With the few allowed entries from abroad, seven to ten days of quarantine in a hotel room is mandatory. Some local authorities impose additional restrictions. When traveling inland, proof is required that you are not from “risk areas”.

Since China has never had widespread infections with Covid-19, there is little natural immunity in its multi-billion dollar population. Elderly or chronically ill people were often excluded from vaccination campaigns for fear of side effects, which puts this group in particular at risk. Also, China has not approved foreign advanced vaccines such as mRNA vaccines, only using its own conventional products.

There is also a lack of understanding among foreign experts that in their view the vaccination or booster campaign is not being put forward more intensively. During his visit to Beijing on Friday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz received assurances that Biontech’s mRNA vaccine could at least be approved for foreigners. conversations running. (sda/dpa)