CHINA. Authorities have stepped up their efforts to curb the latest COVID-19 outbreak, which yesterday saw 50 indigenous cases reported, including 32 in Inner Mongolia autonomous region. The total was up from 29 the previous day and 35 a day earlier.
Other new cases included one in Zunyi, Guizhou province; four in Rizhao, Shandong; four in Gansu province; three in Beijing municipality; and two in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region.
China has launched a nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign for minors aged three to 11, in a bid to increase mass vaccine coverage and accelerate the building of herd immunity, state media Global Times reported, noting that the rebound in cases had hit almost one-third of the country and has becomes one of the worst outbreaks since COVID-19 emerged in early 2020.
Among the regions to have launched the campaign over the past is Hainan province, home to China’s offshore duty free shopping industry. Hainan has recorded no cases since the new outbreak began but visitor numbers stand to be heavily affected by the travel curbs imposed in many regions.