China's daily Covid-19 cases have reportedly increased this week as major cities struggled to control ongoing outbreaks without imposing the universal zero-Covid-19 restrictions that Beijing had earlier stated to be avoided.

Earlier this week, the number of new cases nationwide increased to 23,132, the biggest number of Covid cases since April, close to the highest record set during the worst of Shanghai's major outbreak earlier in 2022. Most of the COVID-19 outbreaks are occurring in some of the country's biggest cities.

Guangzhou's southern hub reported the highest record of 8,761 infections. The authorities have loosened restrictions in some of the previously-locked-down areas of two other districts while extending some bans in the downtown area of Haizhu.

Since last week, China's daily COVID-19 cases have more than doubled. Moreover, Beijing unveiled a number of changes to its zero-tolerance strategy. The changes were made to lessen the disruption caused by restrictions like sudden citywide lockdowns and nearly continual mass testing of residents.

Even as it increased hope that China might be considering a significant change in its pandemic response, state media and officials have rejected the notion that the policy changes signify a relaxation.

As reported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) this week, China must adjust its zero-Covid-19 plan to sustain and balance the recovery of the second-largest economy in the world.

According to Professor Gita Gopinath, the IMF's first deputy managing director, inflation and weaker growth for China allow for additional support for vulnerable communities, which coupled with enhancing social safety nets would stimulate consumption.

Guangzhou has also drawn the attention of China's observers.  As a city of 19 million people, it has only implemented limited lockdowns in three districts while delaying the implementation of more severe and extensive measures even though the number of infections has increased.

Meanwhile, China’s capital, Beijing, reported an increase in cases the number of cases to 423. Meanwhile, more than 4,000 new cases were recorded in the city of Chongqing.

Source credit: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/imf-calibrating-china-s-covid-19-strategy-critical-to-sustaining-recovery