China's Covid infection rate at highest level since start of pandemic

The number of new coronavirus infections in China has risen to an all-time high, with the National Health Commission reporting 13,146 infections on Sunday.

According to official statistics, the majority of cases - 11,691 - are asymptomatic. 

During an inspection visit to Shanghai on Saturday, China's Vice Premier Sun Chunlan stressed the "unwavering adherence" to the epidemiological strategy, which provides for the rapid imposition of curfews, mass testing and quarantine even in the case of smaller infection outbreaks.

Shanghai, the country's largest city, remains under complete lockdown. Almost all of the 26 million inhabitants are currently only allowed to leave their homes for Covid-19 testing.

Sports stadiums and exhibition halls, each with thousands of beds, have been set up throughout the city to isolate infected people.

Shanghai residents have expressed increasing frustration on social media about the strict curfews, precarious food supply and poor hygiene conditions in the quarantine centres. 

GNA