COVID-19 cripples China as nearly 30 million under lockdown

The surge in COVID-19 cases has crippled China as nearly 30 million people are living under lockdown across the country. China reported 5,280 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday after the highly transmissible Omicorn variant engulfed several cities. According to reports, at least 13 cities nationwide were fully locked down and several other cities had partial lockdowns. On Tuesday, over 3,000 cases were reported in northeastern province of Jilin. Shenzhen -- the southern tech hub of 17.5 million people -- is under lockdown with many companies, factories and markets closed. COVID-19 restrictions were also imposed on China's largest city Shanghai. Mary Yue, a project manager, is in a 21-day home quarantine with her mother and three-year-old child since they visited a 'virus-infected' playground. "I panicked when the health officials called... I was afraid they'd take us to a quarantine hotel," the 34-year-old told AFP. "But this time they are letting people isolate at home. That's a huge relief, he added.