The current outbreak has prompted authorities to place several northeastern towns on lockdown. All schools in Shanghai, where more than 27 million people live, have also been closed. The virus is currently spreading rapidly in more than ten regions.
The New York Times reported on Saturday that two mayors of cities in the northeast of the country, where the outbreak is raging, have been fired. A reason for this was not given by the Chinese authorities.
China has changed course in recent months as it strived to remain completely corona-free throughout much of the pandemic. National authorities are now accepting some infections locally, provided that city authorities prevent the virus from spreading further.