Shanghai quietly shuts schools, gyms and bars as Covid-19 returns

Shanghai’s Covid cases jumped to a three-month high and the stealth rollout of restrictions spread to other major cities across the country as officials try to contain the virus just days before one of China’s most important political events.
 

The financial hub reported 47 new infections for Wednesday, the most since July 13 when a brief rise in cases revived fears of another general lockdown. Of the latest cases, all but two were found in quarantine. Beijing recorded 18 cases. Nationwide, there were 1,406 new local cases, down from 1,709 the day before. 
 

While small by international standards, the flareup