China's Biggest Covid Surge In Two Years

Covid cases in China have soared past the 1,000-mark this week for the first time since the pandemic's early days from less than 100 just three weeks ago.

China reported its highest daily total of coronavirus cases in two years on Friday as authorities in Shanghai and other major cities stepped up targeted lockdowns and testing to halt the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

With public fatigue over China's strict zero-covid approach rising fast, authorities are now avoiding the implementation of mass city-wide lockdowns seen previously in favour of a more focused response.

But that has given rise to online images in Shanghai spotlighting students and teachers confined for up to 48 hours on campuses and patrons locked in restaurants or malls until they are re tested, as authorities pounce on reported close-contact situations.

Covid cases have soared past the 1,000 mark this week for the first time since the pandemic's early days from less than 100 just three weeks ago.