Coronavirus cases in China hit 6-month high despite zero-Covid tolerance measures

It seems like even as the world moves on from the Covid-19 pandemic to deal with its aftermath, China is still reeling under the throes of the virus and manmade policies. On November 6, China reported the highest number of Covid infections in six months, despite sticking to a zero-Covid tolerance policy.

• China reported 4,420 new Covid-19 infections on Saturday, the highest since May 6.
• A day earlier, China had reported 3,659 cases. 
• However, most cases are asymptomatic. 
• In the southern city of Guangzhou, 66 new symptomatic cases were reported along with 1,259 new asymptomatic cases. 
• In Beijing, 43 symptomatic and 6 asymptomatic cases were reported. 
• Though the numbers are still well below global standards, the rise in infections combined with the strict Covid protocols has made life a lot harder for Chinese people. 

The protests: China is witnessing a rare scene of protests and criticism from officials over the zero-Covid tolerance policy. 

• Global Times reported that officials at a press conference of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council on Saturday criticised excessive and one-size-fits-all anti-Covid measures in places like Zhengzhou. 
• Though, they did reiterate their adherence to the "dynamic zero-COVID strategy".
• Nonetheless, Zhengzhou officials apologised on Sunday for the excessive measures.  The exodus of factory workers from Foxconn and their long journey home on foot along the highway became the defining moment of Zhengzhou's strict Covid measures. 
• In Northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Covid measures are being reviewed after tragic deaths due to negligence caused a public outcry. 
• A 55-year-old woman was found dead on October 26, two days after the community complex was locked down due to two positive Covid-19 cases. The woman had anxiety and had shown suicidal tendencies and wasn't able to get medical intervention in time. 

Trigger warning: zero covid deaths. Inner Mongolia. “My mother jumped out of the window & died”. Thinking of all the online outcries fr the lockdowns last year, “my mother died this morning b/c the delayed medical help” “my father died last night b/c hospitals shut patients out” pic.twitter.com/kHbZpKCRPh

— Ting (@tingguowrites) November 5, 2022

• The woman's death came less than a week after a 3-year-old boy died of gas poisoning under lockdown in a neighbouring province. The boy's father pleaded with authorities to let him get to a hospital but in vain. 
• Since, then authorities in the region have banned the use of locks, latches and bolts while sealing apartments. 
• In Tibet's capital Lhasa, around 200 people were detained for staging massive protests. Those arrested included Tibetans and Han Chinese living in the area. According to the reports, the uprising was the largest since the protest in 2008 in Lhasa. 

A rare protest in Lhasa against a harsh Covid-19 lockdown. Sources told RFA that Tibetan protesters warned Chinese officials against “setting off a fire” if Covid restrictions are not lifted. pic.twitter.com/oc5DI0Ioje

— Radio Free Asia (@RadioFreeAsia) October 26, 2022

On the other hand, the annual Beijing marathon proceeded according to schedule on Sunday with strict COVID protocols. The marathon was held for the first time after two years.

Featuring 30000 runners, The Beijing Marathon 2022 got underway on Sunday morning as runners set off from Tian'anmen Square and headed for the Olympic Park.
Photos from a friend. pic.twitter.com/9L7Uw89nOl

— Zhang Heqing张和清 (@zhang_heqing) November 6, 2022

Some 26,000 people participated. Participants were required to undergo PCR tests for three days leading up to the race and were not allowed to leave Beijing for 7 days. 

As for the Covid measures, China's disease control official Hu Xiang said: