China's Covid cases hit record high, virus catches Beijing unawares: Top updates

Covid In China: Most residents of Beijing have already been advised not to leave their compounds.

China reported 35,183 new Covid-19 infections of which 3,474 were symptomatic and 31,709 were asymptomatic, the National Health Commission said on Saturday, a new high for the third consecutive day.

Covid In China: A woman wearing a face mask stands near a mural depicting a dragon in Beijing. (AP)

The country had recorded 32,943 new cases a day earlier – 3,103 symptomatic and 29,840 asymptomatic infections.

There were no related deaths reported, compared with one the previous day, keeping fatalities at 5,232.

Here are top updates on Covid in China:

1. Residents of some parts of Beijing were emptying supermarket shelves and overwhelming delivery apps as the city government ordered faster construction of COVID-19 quarantine centres and field hospitals.

2. Most residents of Beijing have already been advised not to leave their compounds, some of which are being fenced in.

3. Several university campuses have been closed off and students in lower grades have been shifted to online classes.

4. Officials have in recent days repeatedly insisted that China must stick with its hard-line “zero-Covid” policy that mandates lockdowns, mass testing and quarantines for anyone suspected of having come into contact with the virus.

5. The policy continues to have a severe impact on the country's economy and upending lives in many Chinese cities.

6. Guangzhou suspended access to its Baiyun district of 3.7 million residents, while residents of some areas of Shijiazhuang, a city of 11 million people southwest of Beijing, were told to stay home.