Page 101 - Coronavirus

China defends zero-Covid policy amid massive protests; Reports 40k cases

China on Monday dismissed concerns over its controversial zero-COVID policy in the face of unprecedented demonstrations, which have spread to Beijing even as it reported close to 40,000 coronavirus cases and authorities scrambled to contain the fresh surge in infections and protests against the Xi Jinping regime. The protests, which comes nearly a month after President Xi was elected as the ruling party's top leader for a third consecutive term, have spread to Shanghai, Beijing and many parts of the country in the last few days against the stringent policy under which cities and localities are kept under prolonged lockdowns and isolations. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian also defended the arrest of a BBC journalist covering the demonstrations in Shanghai, maintaining that the scribe did not present his media credentials. "What you mentioned does not reflect what has happened," Zhao told a media briefing when asked, given the widespread display of anger and frustration

Clashes in Shanghai as protests over China's zero-Covid policy continue

Hundreds of demonstrators and police have clashed in Shanghai as protests over China's stringent Covid restrictions continued for the third day and spread to several cities

China logs 39,452 new Covid cases amid renewed protests against lockdowns

The protests against COVID-19 lockdowns have spread to Beijing even as China reported close to 40,000 coronavirus cases on Monday as authorities scrambled to contain the fresh surge in infections. For the fifth consecutive day, China reported close to 4,000 cases in the capital city of Beijing. China's National Health Commission said 39,452 new cases were reported on Monday, including 36,304 local asymptomatic cases. Meanwhile, the protests which broke out in the eastern metropolis of Shanghai during the weekend, have spread to Beijing where hundreds of people converged on Sunday evening near Liangmahe river in the central city. Crowds carrying lighted candles in memory of those killed in the fire at an apartment block reported under COVID-19 lockdown in Urumqi in Xinjiang shouted slogans against the arbitrary lockdowns by the government to curb the spread of the virus and in solidarity with the weekend protests in Shanghai. Several diplomats and foreigners watched the protests as

BBC journalist beaten by authorities as China boils over zero Covid policy

BBC has expressed concern over the treatment meted out by Chinese authorities, to its journalist, who was arrested and handcuffed while covering a similar ongoing protest in Shanghai

Dollar rises broadly, yuan slumps as China's Covid unrest rattles sentiment

The dollar gained broadly as protests against Covid restrictions in China stoked uncertainty and dented sentiment, sending the yuan sliding

Foxconn offers up to $1,800 bonus to workers to stay in China's iPhone city

Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., will top up wages by as much as 13,000 yuan per month in December and January for full-time workers

Growing China unrest over strict Covid curbs spooks investors in Asia

Investors are readying for a dip as markets open in Asia to news of growing unrest in China over Covid restrictions

'Xi step down' - protests erupt in China over harsh Covid-19 curbs

Protests against Chinese government's strict Covid measures have intensified with people taking to the streets against President Xi Jinping's harsh zero-Covid policy

'Down with Xi': Open defiance as public protests erupt across China

China's rare public protests opposing stringent Covid lockdowns turned political on Sunday with protestors shouting slogans against President Xi Jinping and the ruling Communist Party

Data story: India records 343 new Covid cases; death toll at 530,612

India has added 2,547 cases in the past 7 days

More protests erupt in China against Covid policy triggered by deadly fire

Protests against China's restrictive COVID-19 measures appeared to roil in a number of cities Saturday night, in displays of public defiance fanned by anger over a deadly fire in the western Xinjiang region. Many protests could not be immediately confirmed, but in Shanghai, police used pepper spray to stop around 300 protesters who had gathered at Middle Urumqi Road at midnight, bringing flowers, candles and signs reading Urumqi, November 24, those who died rest in peace to memorialise the 10 deaths caused by a fire in an apartment building in Xinjiang's capital city Urumqi. A protester who gave only his family name, Zhao, said one of his friends was beaten by police and two friends were pepper sprayed. He said police stomped his feet as he tried to stop them from taking his friend away. He lost his shoes in the process, and left the protest barefoot. Zhao says protesters yelled slogans including Xi Jinping, step down, Communist Party, step down", Unlock Xinjiang, unlock China, do n

Mumbai records 15 new Covid-19 infections, 0 death; active case tally at 94

Mumbai on Saturday reported 15 COVID-19 cases, which took the metropolis' tally to 11,54,873, while the death toll stood unchanged at 19,743, a civic official said. The addition to the tally was a dip from the 18 cases reported a day earlier, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official added. The recovery count increased by eight in the last 24 hours to touch 11,35,036, which left the city with an active caseload of 94, he said. So far, 1,85,51,793 coronavirus tests have been conducted in Mumbai, including 5,635 in the last 24 hours, the official said. As per BMC data, the overall growth rate of cases between November 19 and 25 was 0.001 per cent, while the recovery rate was 98.3 per cent. The caseload doubling time in the country's financial capital was 64,204 days, as per civic data.

S Korea's new Covid-19 cases in 50,000 range amid winter resurgence worries

The country reported 52,788 new COVID-19 infections, including 62 cases from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 26,890,488

China's iPhone city Zhengzhou sends 870 workers away without notice

The workers were transported to Xuzhou in Jiangsu province early Friday "without prior communications," the city's authorities said; it didn't say whether any of the people tested positive

China logs 35,909 new Covid cases in a day, third consecutive daily record

Friday saw no new deaths from COVID-19, with the total death toll at 5,232

Outdated Covid travel advisories, norms causing inconvenience to people

Flying to Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands or Leh in Ladakh? Make sure that you are carrying your RT-PCR test in case you are not fully vaccinated. While majority of states and union territories have relaxed Covid restrictions, a few still want unvaccinated travellers to mandatorily have either an RT-PCR test report within 48 to 96 hours before starting their journey or undergo a test on arrival at their respective airports. South Andaman Deputy Commissioner Suneel Anchipaka told PTI that the Union Territory follows the instructions of its health department for mandatory RT-PCR test report for unvaccinated travellers arriving at the Port Blair airport. Besides Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Ladakh is another Union Territory where unvaccinated travellers have to undergo RT-PCR test at the Leh airport. Director of Health Services in Leh Dr. Motup Dorje said, "We are doing random RT-PCR testing on tourists." A section of scientists have called it a futile exercise without any

Risk of asthma attacks doubled after Covid limitations removed: Research

When restrictions were lifted, fewer people wore face coverings and there was more social mixing, and subsequently a higher risk of Covid-19 and other acute respiratory infections

Fear of quarantine camps, not Covid-19 pandemic, is shutting Beijing down

Going out in the capital of Beijing means having to scan a QR code to enter venues like shops and restaurants, or to even take public transportation

Chhattisgarh sees three COVID-19 cases, six recoveries; active tally now 20

Chhattisgarh on Friday reported three COVID-19 cases at a positivity rate of 0.16 per cent, taking the tally to 11,77,722, while the death toll remained unchanged at 14,145, an official said. The recovery count increased by six and stood at 11,63,557, leaving the state with 20 active cases, he said. "Durg accounted for two cases and Balodabazar one. With 1,846 samples examined during the day, the tally of coronavirus tests in the state went up to 1,87,94,096," he added. Chhattisgarh's coronavirus figures are as follows: Positive cases 11,77,722, new cases 3, death toll 14,145, recovered 11,63,557, active cases 20, today tests 1,846, total tests 1,87,94,096.

As China intensifies Covid-19 lockdowns, India gradually opens up

Data shows that spike in one country has not coincided with a rise the other