China Reports First Covid Deaths In More Than A Year

Chinese authorities have reported the first two Covid-19 deaths in the mainland in more than a year, both coming in the northeastern province of Jilin as the country faces its worst case upsurge since the pandemic's outset.

The deaths were the first reported in the mainland since January 26, 2021. In all, the National Health Commission reported 2,157 local infections and 1,713 local asymptomatic cases, which are counted separately. This is down from the previous day’s tally of 2,388 and 1,742 respectively.

Authorities also reported a further 71 infections and 110 asymptomatic cases that were imported.

The mainland has gone from reporting under 100 daily infections just three weeks ago to well more than 1,000 per day for over a week.

President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China will stick with its zero-Covid strategy, state TV reported.

Speaking at a meeting of China's top leaders, Xi said the country should "continue to put people and life at the forefront, stick with scientific accuracy and dynamic-zero, and curb the spread of the epidemic as soon as possible," according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Tens of millions of people are currently under stay at home orders across China to try and stamp out the latest outbreak.

Racing to tamp down outbreaks in multiple cities, officials have also moved to free up hospital beds over fears the virus could put the health system under strain.

Jilin province – which has reported thousands of cases over the past week – has built eight makeshift hospitals and two quarantine centres to stem the surge in infections.

State news outlets this week broadcast footage of dozens of giant cranes assembling temporary medical facilities in Jilin, which has around 23,000 hospital beds for some 24 million residents.

Authorities also said people with mild cases could isolate at central quarantine facilities, having previously sent all patients with any symptoms to specialist hospitals.

The latest flare-ups have prompted long queues to form outside mass testing sites and seen tight controls at ports, raising fears of trade disruption. (AFP)