Brenda Goh and Martin Quin Pollard

SHANGHAI/BEIJING – On Thursday Shanghai authorities searched for COVID-19 victims in an effort to free the city from a six-week-long lockdown. Beijing also restricted taxi services to contain the smaller cases.

According to data, the Chinese commercial hub that employs 25 million people, has been increasing its security measures in the last days to eliminate the virus by the month’s end.

Shanghai’s mass tests only found two additional cases outside of areas that face the most restrictive curbs May 11th, officials claimed on Thursday. However, they were two more than the two discovered the day before.

Significantly, these cases were located in Fengxian (Xuhui) and Xuhui (16 districts of the city). Authorities stated this week that the two areas were part of eight that have “zero COVID” status. This is after they had had no community cases over three consecutive days.

Even with the strictest enforcement of China’s restrictions, the Omicron variant is still highly transmissible. These latest cases are a reminder of the challenges in finishing the case despite some of the most severe sanctions China has imposed since it emerged in Wuhan in 2019.

These new infections raise concerns about how long it might take to get back to normal living under China’s strict “zero COVID” policy.

Yu Linwei (vice-governor for Xuhui) stated at a press conference that his district will not relinquish its anti-epidemic efforts. He said everyone was tested, and new cases as well as their closest contacts, are kept in quarantine.

He said, “We don’t dare slack off.”

Some district residents who were allowed to walk and shop in their neighborhood recently received notices that said they couldn’t leave the house and they must prepare to undergo further testing.

Shanghai had 1,305 local coronavirus cases in May 11th, an increase of 1,259 cases a day before and 144 cases with symptoms compared to 228. These were found in the areas that are already subject to tightest control.

The more free-flowing communities have the most cases to be closely monitored for signs of where Shanghai’s outbreak may be heading. After a time of no cases, other Chinese cities were placed under similar restrictions.

GLOBAL OUTLIER

China has a small number of cases, but this is despite the fact that the disease continues to spread in many countries.

China has reacted to the international trend by increasing its focus on “zero COVID”. This policy places hundreds of millions in cities and puts them under significant movement restrictions. It also causes disruptions and economic harm to international trade and supply chains.

China insists that it is saving people’s lives.

It cites the over 1 million COVID-related deaths in the United States and millions of others around the world, while the official number is slightly higher at just over 5,000 since the outbreak.

Tedros Adhanom, the head of World Health Organization said that China’s current policy is “not sustainable”. This prompted a rebuke in Beijing as well as censorship for his “irresponsible” comments.

Beijing has reported 46 additional COVID cases as of May 11th, up from 37.

On Wednesday night, Beijing suspended taxis and ride-hailing services in Chaoyang, Beijing’s biggest and most active district and also two other areas.

There have been restrictions on dine-in at restaurants and entertainment venues as well as closing malls and tourist attractions. The authorities also suspended parts of the subway and bus systems. Some residential properties were locked down.

Beijing fared better than Shanghai in the latest epidemic, having tightened restrictions sooner.

‘DYSTOPIAN NIGHTMARE’

Residents were once more told they couldn’t leave an apartment in Shanghai’s Jing’an central district after being permitted to wander around last week.

Stephanie Sam (27), a building resident, said that despite being restrictive, the 10 minutes she had to walk her dog and get outside was enough for her mental health.

According to her, the curb tightening has “taken away all slut of hope that I had about this dystopian nightmare end anytime soon”.

District has not reported any community cases, and has, along with other parts of the city, entered “silent management mode” according to authorities.

This usually refers to boards and fences surrounding buildings. Deliveries are prohibited, residents remain in their homes.