Shanghai residents rush to stock up as second stage of COVID-19 lockdown looms

Shanghai authorities said on Thursday the city’s overall daily COVID caseload eased for the first time in about two weeks.

It reported 5,298 locally transmitted new asymptomatic cases and 355 symptomatic cases for Wednesday, compared with 5,656 local asymptomatic cases and 326 new cases with symptoms reported a day earlier.

Shanghai accounted for almost 80per cent of local asymptomatic cases reported across the whole of China for Wednesday, and about 20per cent of those with symptoms.

“INADEQUATELY PREPARED”

The outbreak and curbs to stop its spread have caused massive disruptions to the lives of its residents as well as to the many businesses there.

US electric car maker Tesla is extending a production halt at its Shanghai factory for at least one day, having already suspended production since Monday, two sources told Reuters.

Volkswagen’s Shanghai joint venture with SAIC Motor said it would maintain some production between Apr 1 to 5 by providing accommodation and meals at its factory for employees who had volunteered to work, it said.

Many across the city have taken to social media to vent their frustrations, posting videos and images of crowded quarantine centres and also issuing calls for help with medical treatment and purchasing food.

The Shanghai government said on Thursday in a letter to the city’s residents that it was grateful for their efforts and acknowledged their sacrifices, especially as some had been in quarantine and lockdown for a long time. Still, it urged them to keep cooperating in order to battle the virus’ spread.

Ma, the Shanghai government official, however, acknowledged that the city could have done more, and that authorities were trying to improve provision of food supplies as well as addressing issues with seeking medical help.

“Our knowledge about the highly contagious Omicron variant has been insufficient, we were inadequately prepared for the fast-rising number of infected patients, and our control measures have not been up to speed,” he said.

Still, despite the irritation among some in Shanghai who question its practicality, the “dynamic clearance” approach adopted by China will not be relaxed, state news agency Xinhua said in a commentary late on Wednesday. The tactic was essential to protect lives and the people’s health, Xinhua said.

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