By Laura Sanicola

(Reuters) – Oil prices fell in Asia’s early trade Thursday due to concerns over rising coronavirus infections in China. China is the largest oil importer in the world.

China’s capital Beijing has reported 48 new COVID-19 symptomatic cases and 2 new unasymptomatic COVID-19 patients for April 27, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

As part of a massive testing program to contain a new epidemic, the city registered 31 cases and three others a day before.

By 0006 GMT, futures declined 37 cents (or 0.4%) to $104.95/barrel U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude crude futures declined 27 cents (or 0.3%) to $101.75/barrel

Beijing’s authorities continue to fight COVID-19 epidemics. They are also trying to avoid the one-month lockdown of Shanghai.

China’s Hangzhou, 12.2 Million People is home to the e-commerce giant Alibaba (NYSE) will start mass COVID tests in April 28, according to reports by state media.

Market concerns regarding tight energy supplies worldwide following Russia’s invasion and subsequent sanctions placed on Moscow and other allies by the United States are also a support.

Russian energy giant Gazprom said Wednesday that gas supplies were ceased to Bulgarian and Polish customers.

According to trading documents, Shell, a British multinational, said that it will no longer accept oil containing Russian products. Exxon Mobil (NYSE) announced that it has declared force majeure in respect of its Sakhalin-1 operations, which are located in Russia’s far eastern region.