China scrambles to contain further COVID outbreaks, sticking to zero-COVID policy

China is scrambling to contain its most widespread COVID outbreak since the nation’s first wave that began in Wuhan in 2019

Though subsequent flare-ups have seen higher total case numbers, the current outbreak has spread the furthest.

According to the National Health Commission, 19 of China’s 31 provinces which makes up more than half the country have reported cases since the outbreak began in mid-October.

On Wednesday, the NHC reported 93 new symptomatic cases, the highest daily count in three months.

This approach, which aims to stamp out the virus completely within China’s borders, means even a handful of cases are viewed as a dire threat.

The ongoing outbreak began on October 16

Infections were detected among a tour group of fully vaccinated senior citizens from Shanghai travelling in northern China.

Cases have since quickly ballooned and spread across northern provinces.

By week after October 16, officials from the National Health Commission warned of “multiple scattered local outbreaks” in the north and northwest that were “expanding rapidly.”

Authorities immediately jumped into action, following the playbook that has successfully contained previous outbreaks: mass testing, snap lockdowns, quarantines, travel suspensions and vigilant surveillance.

Officials banned cross-provincial tours across the affected regions. In one popular tourist destination, all residents and tourists were forbidden from leaving their homes.

The capital of Beijing has also tightened entry restrictions into the city, and punished rule-breakers by placing them in criminal detention.