Shanghai Cases Rebound, Another 52 Deaths Recorded

Shanghai on Friday reported that its daily Covid-19 cases had jumped to 15,032, breaking a five-day downward trend.

The number of Covid-related deaths also went up to 52, from 47 the day before.

The number of newly diagnosed patients in the city was markedly up from the 10,622 recorded on Thursday.

Among the new cases, 9,500 were without symptoms.

The financial hub remained the epicentre of the country's latest outbreak and contributed to most of the mainland's overall daily figure, which stood at 15,588.

Beijing, logged 47 new symptomatic cases and two asymptomatic cases, as the capital closed schools and launched another round of mass testing to try to contain a local outbreak.

The northeastern province of Jilin added 87 cases and Guangdong recorded 14 new cases.

During a press conference, officials pledged to "unwaveringly" stick to the country's "dynamic zero" policy, while declaring that the efforts to contain local outbreaks in many locations are starting to show results.

They again dismissed concerns that the policy has been implemented at the expense of economic growth.

"Covid-19 prevention and control is an all-out battle, we must think more in big picture terms and coordinate our work through the country," said Li Bin, a vice minister of the National Health Commission.

"Only if Covid is effectively controlled can we provide solid protection for people's lives and health and create conditions for normal production and life."