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Coronavirus: Shanghai edges closer to “societal zero” Covid-19 goal, but maintains standstill order before easing lockdown
- The lowest infection total in the last month in areas deemed low-risk raised hopes the financial capital will soon ease restrictions and ramp up business activity.
- Total newly added infections in Shanghai numbered 9,770, an 8 per cent drop from the 10,622 reported on Thursday.
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New Covid-19 cases in Shanghai’s low-risk unguarded zones fell to the lowest level since a phased lockdown was imposed one month ago, in a fresh sign that the mainland’s financial capital could soon ease restrictions and ramp up business activity.
Officials counted 108 infections in the residential compounds classified as low-risk and their surrounding areas over the last 24 hours, according to data released on Friday.
“The smaller number is bolstering officials and residents’ confidence in containing the pandemic,” said Meng Tianying, a senior executive at Shanghai-based consultancy Domo Medical. “Shanghai is set to strengthen virus control in the coming few days to achieve societal zero-Covid goal.”
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New cases reported on Friday numbered 15,032, 41 per cent more than a day earlier. Among 5,487 symptomatic patients, 5,062 were Covid-19 carriers who were classified as asymptomatic cases in the previous days. Therefore the actual number of newly added infections stood at 9,770, an 8 per cent drop from the 10,622 reported on Thursday.
Cumulative cases since the outbreak began on March 1 hit 554,000. The city added 52 new deaths on Thursday, taking the total to 337.
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