Covid 4th wave: China launches nucleic acid testing amid lockdown initiative

As the COVID-19 cases resurged in China`s financial hub, Shanghai plans to launch a new round of nucleic acid testing across the city, starting from Monday.

The temporary closed-off management will also be imposed in the regions lying to the East and South of Huangpu River, including Pudong and its adjacent areas from March 28 at 5 am to April 1, at 5 am, Xinhua reported citing the city`s COVID-19 prevention and control office.

A similar temporary closed-off management and nucleic acid testing will be launching in urban districts west of the Huangpu River from April 1 at 3 am to April 5 till 3 am.

The closed-off management will take place in residential communities of affected areas and the residents will be required to stay inside the home and non-contact delivery of necessities will only be allowed. The transport services including bus, subway, ferry, taxi and online ride-hailing will be suspended in the areas under closed management.

Meanwhile, China reported 1,217 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the National Health Commission said on Sunday. A total of 37 imported COVID-19 cases were reported Saturday, said the commission.