China Reports Record High Daily COVID-19 Cases for Three Consecutive Days

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The number of COVID-19 cases in China has surged to record highs for three consecutive days, putting health authorities on high alert.

According to the National Health Commission of China on the 26th, the number of new COVID-19 infections in mainland China the previous day was recorded at 34,202 (excluding 707 cases reclassified from asymptomatic to symptomatic). This is an increase of 2,215 cases compared to the 24th, setting a new record for three consecutive days.

Guangdong had the highest number with 7,911 cases, which was 68 fewer than the previous day. In contrast, Chongqing saw a sharp increase of 1,281 cases, entering the 7,000 range for the first time with 7,659 cases.

The capital Beijing reported 2,576 cases, an increase of 722 from the previous day, surpassing 2,000 cases for the first time ever. Hebei (1,717 cases), Sichuan (1,523 cases), Shanxi (1,473 cases), and Qinghai (1,039 cases) also each exceeded 1,000 cases.

Liaoning Province in Northeast China, where COVID-19 has recently spread rapidly, also surpassed 500 cases for the first time with 527 cases.

As the increase in confirmed cases shows no signs of slowing, health authorities have gone on high alert. While Chinese authorities have not implemented extreme measures such as lockdowns, they are strengthening quarantine measures in areas where infections have occurred.

In particular, Chaoyang District in Beijing, which includes Wangjing where many Korean residents live, is seeing an increase in lockdowns of office buildings and apartments. Restaurants have suspended not only dine-in services but also takeout and delivery, creating a near-lockdown situation.

In Guangzhou, residents in locked-down areas have broken through barbed wire to escape, and with cargo transport vehicles restricted, farmers are facing blocked distribution channels for agricultural products, leading to farmers plowing under vegetables, showing the aftereffects of prolonged lockdowns.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.