Beijing reported 14 local confirmed Covid-19 cases, the highest daily count in its current outbreak, less than two weeks before the Winter Olympics are due to commence in the Chinese capital and in neighbouring Hebei province.
The number of domestically spread infections with confirmed symptoms in Beijing reported for yesterday comprised more than half of the 24 such cases nationwide, data from the National Health Commission showed.
Beijing has detected a total of 55 local cases with symptoms since 15 January, with both the Omicron and Delta variants. The number is significantly lower than cases elsewhere in the world but the city has put tens of thousands of people under targeted lockdowns and tested a few million residents to block transmission.
Beijing's moves are in line with a national guideline to curb virus flare-ups as soon as possible, which takes on extra urgency as China has vowed to safely host the Winter Olympics Games and prevent major outbreaks during the Lunar New Year travel season.