21st Mar 2022 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=624 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Chinas financial hub of Shanghai reported on Monday a record daily surge in local COVID19 infections as authorities scrambled to test residents and rein in the Omicron variant while closing its Disney DIS.N resort until further notice. Until recent weeks relatively unscathed by coronavirus Shanghai reported 24 new domestically transmitted COVID cases with confirmed symptoms for Sunday and 734 local asymptomatic infections official data showed on Monday. It is the fourth consecutive day that Shanghais local asymptomatic infections have increased. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/shanghais-disney-resort-shut-amid-record-daily-local-covid-infections-2022-03-21/ 21st Mar 2022

Lockdown Exit

BBC News Covid cases have continued to rise in the UK with an estimated one in every 20 people infected figures from the Office for National Statistic suggest. All age groups are affected including the 75s and over who are due a spring booster jab to top up protection. Hospital cases are also rising but vaccines are still helping to stop many severe cases say experts. An easily spread subvariant of Omicron called BA.2 is now causing most cases. Recent easing of restrictions and waning immunity from the vaccines could be factors behind the rise too. https://www.bbc.com/news/health-60792087 20th Mar 2022

Lockdown Exit

Global News The City of Toronto will be holding 24 popup COVID19 vaccination clinics around the city through its new Vax and Spring campaign. In a press release issued Sunday the city said the campaign is part of the citys continued equityfocused hyperlocal mobile strategy to make COVID19 vaccines as accessible and convenient as possible to help bring COVID19 vaccine clinics to many locations across Toronto. The city said 24 popup vaccine clinics will be held in 22 locations over seven days beginning on March 20. https://globalnews.ca/news/8696193/toronto-vax-and-spring-covid-19-vaccine-campaign/ 20th Mar 2022

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian In Germany most pandemic controls will be lifted on Sunday after a heated parliamentary debate on Friday which led to both houses of parliament voting in favour. That was despite cases in Germany reaching a new daily record of almost 300000 on Friday a sevenday incidence rate of 1706 cases per 100000 residents and a majority of the population expressing concern that the relaxations were coming too soon. Germany has been recording daily deaths of over 200 for several weeks. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/20/covid-restrictions-easing-across-europe-despite-surge-in-cases 20th Mar 2022

Lockdown Exit

The Wall Street Journal Article reports that Russian attacks are endangering Ukraines worldleading medicinal chemistry industry which supplies scientists across the globe with molecular building blocks needed for early drug development. Ukraines dominance in medicinal chemistry is little known beyond drug developers who finetune a drugs molecular design to give it the best chance of hitting the desired biological target in the body. Kyivbased Enamine Ltd. has become a goto supplier for drugdiscovery scientists at academic laboratories and the largest pharmaceutical companies. Its a bit like Amazon for chemistry said Ed Griffen a U.K.based medicinal chemist working with closely held Enamine on a lowcost Covid19 antiviral pill. https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraines-world-class-drug-molecule-industry-imperiled-by-russia-invasion-11647784800 20th Mar 2022

Lockdown Exit

Sky News Millions of vulnerable people in England will be offered a fourth COVID vaccine in a bid to top up protection against the coronavirus. Spring booster jabs will be available to care home residents people who are 75 and over and the immunosuppressed aged 12 and over. A total of around five million people are expected to be given the jab with around 600000 invited to book their dose this week the NHS says. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-spring-booster-jabs-to-be-offered-to-millions-of-vulnerable-people-in-england-12570906 20th Mar 2022

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian Stopping the spread of Covid19 through public health measures remains vital to curbing the pandemic one of Britains most senior scientific figures has warned. On the eve of the second anniversary of the lockdown that began the UKs Covid response Jeremy Farrar director of the Wellcome Trust called for investment in nextgeneration vaccines and better access to vaccinations for poorer countries. Farrar joined several of the UKs most eminent scientists in praising the extraordinary response to the pandemic by the clinicians researchers and business leaders. But with Covid infections and hospital admissions rising across the UK measures such as masks social distancing and ventilation are key. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/20/public-health-measures-are-key-to-curbing-covid-in-uk-say-scientists 20th Mar 2022

Lockdown Exit

Reuters The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ECDC said on Friday that countries should provide free COVID19 testing for refugees from Ukraine to avoid outbreaks as more than three million people flee their warstricken homeland. Infectious diseases and conflict often go handinhand and the risk of infections spreading could be further exacerbated as COVID vaccination rates in Ukraine have been low overall at 35 versus the EU average of 71.7. Those fleeing the country should be offered a full course of COVID19 vaccines and booster doses if they do not have proof of prior inoculation with an emphasis on those at greater risk of severe COVID19 the ECDC said. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-health-body-recommends-free-covid-tests-vaccines-ukrainian-refugees-2022-03-18/ 20th Mar 2022

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Ecuadors president on Friday announced an end to coronavirus limits on public and private gatherings but the South American country will continue to require foreign visitors to show proof of vaccinations or a negative COVID19 test. President Guillermo Lasso said the government made the decision to end two years of pandemic containment measures because Ecuador has reached its goal of fully vaccinating 85 of the population above five years old. Both new infections and COVIDrelated deaths have steadily fallen in recent weeks according to government data. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/ecuador-ends-covid-limits-gatherings-after-hitting-vaccination-goal-2022-03-18/ 20th Mar 2022

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Sunday she plans to review COVID19 restrictions on Monday just days after acknowledging that many people in the global financial hub were losing patience with the citys coronavirus policies. The Chineseruled city has some of the most stringent COVID19 rules in the world with a ban on flights from nine countries including Australia and Britain and hotel quarantine of up to two weeks for incoming travellers. The city has also imposed a ban on gatherings of more than two people while most public venues are closed including beaches and playgrounds face masks are compulsory and there is no facetoface learning for students. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/hong-kong-leader-says-plans-review-covid-restrictions-monday-2022-03-20/ 20th Mar 2022

Lockdown Exit

Reuters As students in Canadas most populous province return to maskfree classes after two years on Monday one Ontario school board is facing backlash for defying the provinces decision to drop masks potentially setting the stage for a clash on a contentious pandemic issue. The mask mandate and other pandemic measures have become a lightning rod in Canada for an antigovernment movement sparking a threeweek protest in capital Ottawa last month. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/parents-up-arms-against-an-ontario-school-boards-move-keep-masks-2022-03-20/ 20th Mar 2022

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Figures showing a global rise in COVID19 cases could herald a much bigger problem as some countries also report a drop in testing rates the WHO said on Tuesday warning nations to remain vigilant against the virus. After more than a month of decline COVID cases started to increase around the world last week the WHO said with lockdowns in Asia and Chinas Jilin province battling to contain an outbreak. A combination of factors was causing the increases including the highly transmissible Omicron variant and its BA.2 sublineage and the lifting of public health and social measures the WHO said. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/who-says-global-rise-covid-cases-is-tip-iceberg-2022-03-16/ 19th Mar 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Hong Kong plans to relax some antiCOVID19 measures next month lifting a ban on flights from nine countries reducing quarantine time for arrivals from abroad and reopening schools. The moves announced on Monday by Chief Executive Carrie Lam could quieten some criticism from residents who have become increasingly frustrated with the citys stringent measures some of which have been in place for over two years. The flight ban would be lifted from April 1 while hotel quarantine for arrivals could be cut to seven days from 14 if residents tested negative Lam told a news briefing. She had previously said measures would be in place until April 20. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/hong-kong-leader-says-covid-flight-ban-9-countries-no-longer-necessary-2022-03-21/ 21st Mar 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Competitive swimmer Jody Lees goal is to compete at the Paris Olympics in 2024 but with only two years left to qualify Hong Kongs monthslong shutdown of swimming pools is making achieving his dream tougher. Pools and all other sports facilities including tennis courts golf courses and gyms have been shut since January and for more than 13 months total since the start of the pandemic in 2020. Lee 15 has been trying to keep fit by training in the ocean braving red tides and currents but the city closed beaches on Thursday making it even harder to swim. I have no idea where my swimming level is ... Things will get especially hard for me in terms of trying to qualify for the Olympics. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/hong-kongs-covid-sports-ban-hits-residents-young-athletes-2022-03-21/ 21st Mar 2022

Exit Strategies

The Wall Street Journal Hong Kong has faced a record surge in Covid19 cases and the worlds highest death rate prompting authorities to impose strict restrictions. WSJs Diana Chan reports on how everyday life has changed in the city from panic buying to an exodus of residents https://www.wsj.com/video/series/on-the-news/life-during-hong-kongs-worst-covid-19-outbreak-full-hospitals-quiet-streets/0F140C7F-E0F8-4D51-BF98-EACF10F2D90C 20th Mar 2022

Exit Strategies

Wall Street Journal Major League Baseball players have been more reluctant to take the Covid19 vaccine than their counterparts in any of the other American professional sports. Now that decision could have a significant impact on how the upcoming season unfolds. Because of Canadian border restrictions unvaccinated players wont be allowed to enter the country to play against the Toronto Blue Jays. They wont be paid or receive service time for any games missed because of their vaccination status under the industrys new labor contract which the owners and players union agreed to last week. The rule will for the first time provide a clear glimpse into how many players have declined to take the shots which have been found to be safe and effective by experts around the world. While the NFL NBA NHL and WNBA have all reported that nearly all of their players have been vaccinated baseball is a different story. https://www.wsj.com/articles/mlb-vaccination-rate-11647546833 20th Mar 2022

Exit Strategies

The Wall Street Journal China reported its first deaths from Covid19 in the mainland in more than a year as the country battles a surge of Omicron infections across the country. Two patients died of Covid19 in the northeastern province of Jilin which has been hard hit by the Omicron wave Chinas National Health Commission said Saturday. The deaths both of which occurred the previous day are the nations first recorded fatalities since Jan. 26 2021. Earlier in the week Chinese health authorities barred Jilins 24 million residents from leaving the province which borders Russia and North Korea the first time such restrictions have been imposed on an entire province since Hubei province home to the city of Wuhan was locked down at the start of the pandemic. https://www.wsj.com/articles/mainland-china-reports-first-coronavirus-deaths-in-more-than-a-year-as-omicron-spreads-11647697704 20th Mar 2022

Exit Strategies

POLITICO Europe People in Austria will be required to wear FFP2 face masks indoors again as COVID19 cases are rising once more the countrys Health Minister Johannes Rauch said. I dont like doing that Rauch said during a press conference Friday evening adding that the new rule will apply from Wednesday and that isolation rules will be revised too. He said details about the reviewed restrictions will come over the weekend. Rauch conceded that easing restriction measures had come too early. Austria is the first country in the EU to reintroduce tougher constraints during the current wave. The number of COVID19 cases has been increasing in the country during the past two weeks. https://www.politico.eu/article/austria-reintroduce-face-mask-coronavirus-case-surge/ 20th Mar 2022

Exit Strategies

CNN A month after the US Food and Drug Administration delayed key steps toward authorizing Covid19 vaccines for children under 5 many parents are more eager for the shots than ever. Dr. Daniel Leonard a pediatric hospitalist who is working on the PfizerBioNTech vaccine trial for these kids said people are driving in from several states away to take part. Were here in south central Nebraska and while many may not think that this would be the epicenter of scientific progress the influx that Ive had with people from Colorado Minnesota Wisconsin Iowa some driving eight or nine hours each way overnight to participate in the study he said. They are dedicated. https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/19/health/covid-19-youngest-children-vaccine/index.html 20th Mar 2022

Exit Strategies

ABC News Hong Kongs leader says the government will consider lifting strict social distancing measures as new COVID19 infections in the city continue trending downward https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/hong-kong-review-covid-19-restrictions-cases-decline-83560030 20th Mar 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Older people in China should get vaccinated against COVID19 senior Chinese health officials said on Friday adding that deaths among the elderly in the latest wave to hit Hong Kong serve as a lesson for the mainland. The outbreak in Hong Kong is a particularly profound lesson for us an example that if the vaccination rate for the elderly is low the rate of severe cases and deaths will be high Wang Hesheng deputy director of the National Health Commission told a news briefing. We must not regret when it is too late he said. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/covid-vaccination-rate-people-aged-over-80-china-relatively-low-official-2022-03-18/ 20th Mar 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Japan on Sunday pledged to offer Cambodia about 428 million in aid and 1.3 million doses of COVID19 vaccines through the COVAX global vaccinesharing programme. The pledges were part of several agreements signed by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen during Kishidas visit to Phnom Penh. Japan will provide a support loan of 45 billion yen 378 million and grant aid through contribution to international organisations of 6 billion yen 50 million. Kishida also expressed support for Cambodias democratic process such as holding elections in a way that reflects diverse voices from Cambodian people through projects such as the promotion of dialogue a joint statement said. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-offers-aid-covid-vaccines-cambodia-2022-03-20/ 20th Mar 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters The Chinese commercial hub of Shanghai is pushing ahead with a mass testing initiative as it tries to curb a new spike in COVID19 infections but some districts were easing lockdown rules in an effort to minimise disruptions. The city home to about 25 million people saw symptomatic local community infections hit 57 on March 17 with another 203 domestically transmitted asymptomatic cases up from eight and 150 respectively a day earlier. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-new-daily-local-covid-cases-rebound-2022-03-18/ 20th Mar 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Sunday she plans to review COVID19 restrictions on Monday just days after acknowledging that many people in the global financial hub were losing patience with the citys coronavirus policies. The Chineseruled city has some of the most stringent COVID19 rules in the world with a ban on flights from nine countries including Australia and Britain and hotel quarantine of up to two weeks for incoming travellers. The city has also imposed a ban on gatherings of more than two people while most public venues are closed including beaches and playgrounds face masks are compulsory and there is no facetoface learning for students. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/hong-kong-leader-says-plans-review-covid-restrictions-monday-2022-03-20/ 20th Mar 2022

Partisan Exits

The Independent US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene inadvertently proved herself wrong on the House floor while complaining about Covid19 vaccine boosters. Ms Greene took to the floor to attack the coronavirus vaccines in particular the idea that boosters may be necessary for Americans to stay safe from the virus and its variants. Now I dont know about you guys but many of us were vaccinated as kids against polio we had our MMR and I have never seen the CDC coming out and saying oh youve got to get your second polio shot youve got to get your third youve got to get your fourth she said. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/mtg-covid-boosters-polio-fact-check-b2039159.html 20th Mar 2022

Partisan Exits

Reuters The recent surge in COVID19 cases across China is likely to have a minimal impact on the countrys GDP this year two brokerages said in their reports while adding it could hurt demand for some commodities. China reported 2388 new local cases with confirmed symptoms on March 17 almost double the count a day earlier as it battles its worst coronavirus outbreak since the virus first emerged in Wuhan in 2020. Credit Suisse said in a report late Thursday it expected a loss of 0.03 to 0.05 percentage point to GDP growth per week of the lockdown on the current size of the lockdown. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/jpm-credit-suisse-expect-china-covid-spike-have-minimal-impact-gdp-2022-03-18/ 20th Mar 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian Exactly two years ago Prof Sir Andrew Pollard was starting to panic. We were just waking up to the reality of Covid19 and that we would need vaccines for our very survival the director of the Oxford Vaccine Group told the Guardian last week. He joined forces with a colleague Prof Dame Sarah Gilbert and together they launched one of the greatest medical missions in modern history. Their seemingly impossible task to design develop and deliver a vaccine from scratch to slow the advance of a lethal pandemic was completed in less than 12 months to the relief of millions. Today though the coronavirus landscape and the status of their jab ChAdOx1 nCoV19 looks very different. In the UK half the population have had their vaccine restrictions have ended and while cases and hospitalisations are rising in the UK a dramatic uptick in deaths is not expected. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/mar/20/oxford-covid-jab-vaccine-astrazeneca 20th Mar 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian Moderna late on Thursday sought emergency use authorization from US health regulators for a second Covid19 booster shot as a surge in cases in some parts of the world fueled fears of another wave of the pandemic. The US biotechnology company said its request covered all adults over the age of 18 so that the appropriate use of an additional booster dose of its vaccine including for those at higher risk of Covid19 due to age or comorbidities could be determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC and healthcare providers. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/18/moderna-emergency-use-second-covid-booster-shot 20th Mar 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg Almost 87 of Hong Kongers who died from Covid after getting at least one dose of vaccine received Sinovac Biotech Ltd.s shot Ming Pao reported though most deaths occurred among those who werent immunized. The newspaper said it analyzed data from the Hospital Authority involving 5167 of the citys Covid fatalities without disclosing its sources or additional information. It found that 71 of those who died were unvaccinated. Of the 1486 who died after receiving at least one dose 1292 or 87 had gotten Sinovac Ming Pao reported. Most deaths in Hong Kong have occurred among undervaccinated senior citizens particularly those living in elderly care homes. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-20/hk-s-immunized-who-died-of-covid-mainly-got-sinovac-ming-pao 20th Mar 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Moderna Inc on late Thursday sought emergency use authorization from U.S. health regulators for a second COVID19 booster shot as a surge in cases in some parts of the world fuels fears of another wave of the pandemic. The U.S. biotechnology company said its request covered all adults over the age of 18 so that the appropriate use of an additional booster dose of its vaccine including for those at higher risk of COVID19 due to age or comorbidities could be determined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC and health care providers. Modernas request is significantly broader than Pfizer Inc and its German partner BioNTech SEs application that was filed earlier this week with U.S. regulators for a second booster shot for people aged 65 and older https://www.reuters.com/world/us/moderna-seeks-fda-authorization-second-covid-booster-all-adults-nyt-2022-03-18/ 20th Mar 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 966575 deaths from COVID19 on Friday after it corrected the data earlier this week which reduced the death tallies in all agegroups including children. The health agency in a statement to Reuters said it made adjustments to its COVID Data Trackers mortality data on March 14 because its algorithm was accidentally counting deaths that were not COVID19related. The adjustment resulted in removal of 72277 deaths previously reported across 26 states including 416 pediatric deaths CDC said. The reduction cut the CDCs estimate of deaths in children by 24 to 1341 as of March 18. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/cdc-reports-fewer-covid-19-pediatric-deaths-after-data-correction-2022-03-18/ 20th Mar 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters The following is a summary of some recent studies on COVID19. They include research that warrants further study to corroborate the findings and that has yet to be certified by peer review. Neurological risks not higher after COVID19 vaccines COVID19 vaccination did not increase risks for rare neurological conditions among more than 8 million people who had received at least one dose of a vaccine from AstraZeneca Pfizer BioNTech Moderna or Johnson Johnson according to researchers. Their study also included 735870 unvaccinated individuals who had tested positive for the coronavirus as well as older data on an additional 14.3 million people from the general population for a baseline estimate of rates of the neurological conditions before the pandemic https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/neurological-problems-no-higher-after-vaccination-depression-anxiety-risk-tied-2022-03-18/ 20th Mar 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters The biotech company that makes mRNAdelivery technology for Pfizers COVID19 vaccine sued Arbutus Biopharma Corp in Manhattan federal court on Friday seeking to head off claims that the vaccine infringes Arbutus patents. Canadabased Acuitas Therapeutics Inc said Arbutus and partner Genevant Sciences have threatened to sue for potentially billions of dollars in unjustified royalties over the vaccine Pfizer developed with Germanys BioNTech SE . Acuitas asked the court to find that the PfizerBioNTech vaccine does not infringe Arbutus patents and that several Arbutus patents are invalid. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/canadian-pfizer-partner-sues-head-off-patent-lawsuit-over-covid-19-vaccine-2022-03-18/ 20th Mar 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg Chinese officials said vaccine makers have upgraded their Covid19 vaccines against the omicron variant and other strains but new shots will be validated for safety and efficacy before they can be rolled out. Widelyused inactivated shots in the country have been tweaked to fight up to three variants including omicron and the preceding predominant delta strain according to Zheng Zhongwei an official who oversees Covid vaccine development at the National Health Commission. Another protein subunit shot targeting four variants is seeking approval for human testing overseas he said. We share the urgent wish of everybody to use omicron target vaccines Zheng said at a briefing in Beijing Saturday. As we expedite development of omicron vaccine we consistently make safety and efficacy our No. 1 priority. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-19/china-says-vaccine-makers-upgraded-shots-to-fight-omicron 20th Mar 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Guardian Hong Kong is in the grip of its worst Covid outbreak. The surge in infections during the fifth wave has outpaced other cities around the world. Analysis of government data by Hong Kong Free Press showed there were almost 900 confirmed infections per 100000 Hong Kong citizens in early March when cases peaked. The alltime high for the pandemic was previously held by New York City with 500 cases per 100000 residents in January. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/18/hong-kong-covid-crisis-why-is-the-death-rate-so-high 20th Mar 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Guardian Chinas national health authorities reported two Coronavirus deaths on Saturday the first recorded rise in the death toll since January last year as the country battles an omicrondriven surge. The deaths both in northeastern Jilin province bring the countrys coronavirus death toll to 4638. China reported 2157 new community transmissions on Saturday with the majority in Jilin. The province has instituted a travel ban with people needing permission from police to travel across borders. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/19/china-reports-first-coronavirus-deaths-in-over-a-year-amid-omicron-surge 20th Mar 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

Bloomberg Chinas financial hub Shanghai reported record high new Covid infections as it implemented mass mandated testing to reduce transmissions of the virus. The new cases as of Saturday include 17 confirmed local infections and 492 that are asymptomatic Wu Jinglei director of the Shanghai Heath Commission said at a press conference on Sunday. Wu called for increased effort to scale up testing which has been effective in identifying cases and helping block further transmission. China has allowed the use of rapid antigen tests kits to ease the demand from people to be diagnosed. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-20/shanghai-s-new-covid-cases-hit-record-on-mass-mandated-tests 20th Mar 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Mainland China reported its first COVID19 deaths in more than a year on Saturday according to a post on the National Health Commissions website that said two people died in the northeastern region of Jilin. China reported only two COVID deaths for all of 2021 the last of those on Jan. 25. The country is maintaining a dynamic clearance approach which aims to cut transmission as soon as possible using stringent measures such as short and targeted shutdowns and quick testing schemes where cases are found https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/china-reports-first-covid-deaths-over-year-2022-03-19/ 20th Mar 2022

New Lockdown

The Guardian When nearby neighbourhoods went into lockdown Liu Li started stocking up. The 42yearold Chinese magazine worker bought vegetables fruit medicine and other supplies adding to stores of basics she had maintained since the pandemic began. Last Sunday a resident in the community where Liu lives with her mother in Changchun city Jilin tested positive. Everyone was ordered inside. The fresh lockdown has so far been OK. I live a normal life she says. I work when there are tasks for me. If there arent any I talk to my mother watch TV or play with my cat. Liu is luckier than some she works from home and was well prepared. But there is also a risk. Her mother is a cancer patient and unvaccinated. They are now among the 37 million people under lockdown in China as authorities battle the countrys biggest outbreak of the pandemic. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/19/with-37-million-in-lockdown-and-covid-plans-under-fire-chinese-ask-what-comes-next 20th Mar 2022

New Lockdown

Al Jazeera English The city of Jilin will lock down some 4.5 million people for three days starting Monday to help curb the spread of Chinas biggest coronavirus outbreak. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/20/millions-in-chinas-northeast-placed-under-covid-19-lockdown 20th Mar 2022

New Lockdown

Reuters To keep factory lines open in the face of COVID curbs Chinese firms are asking workers to eat sleep and work in bubbles isolated from the wider world sterilising premises as often as three times a day and testing for COVID daily. Dubbed closedloop management this approach has been part of Chinas efforts over the past two years to keep local transmission extremely low by global standards. It was used for example at the Winter Olympics in Beijing to seal event personnel off from the public. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-factories-opt-isolation-bubbles-beat-covid-curbs-keep-running-2022-03-17/ 20th Mar 2022