China reports record 20,472 new Covid cases in a day amid lockdowns

The current outbreak has already surpassed number of infections found in the early days of the pandemic, before testing was easily available, and encompasses a much broader swath of the nation.

China reported 20,472 new daily Covid cases for Tuesday, as widespread lockdowns and mass testing in Shanghai and other parts of the country turn up a rising number of infections.

Police and security members in protective suits stand outside cordoned off food stores following the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak in Shanghai, China.(REUTERS)

The current outbreak has already surpassed the number of infections found in the early days of the pandemic, before testing was easily available, and encompasses a much broader swath of the nation. While President Xi Jinping is committed to getting the conflagration under control, his request to do so with limited economic consequences is getting harder to implement.

Shanghai remains the hotspot for the current flareup, despite a sweeping lockdown of its 25 million people. Originally intended to be carried out in two parts, the rising number of infections led to expanding the restrictions in the eastern portion of the city that were initially expected to be lifted last week.

There were 311 local infections and 16,766 asymptomatic cases in Shanghai, and another 973 infections and 1,798 asymptomatic cases in Jilin, a northeastern province that has been locked down since mid-March.