China has reported a surge in COVID-19 infections, particularly in the eastern province of Zhejiang, which has registered 138 locally transmitted confirmed cases caused by a new Delta strain sub-lineage, identified as AY.4. This marks the first time that China has reported infections from this new sub-variant of the Delta strain, according to state-run CGTN-TV.
Between December 5 and 12, Zhejiang Province recorded 138 confirmed COVID-19 cases and one asymptomatic carrier, amid the ongoing resurgence of the virus, reported the state-run Xinhua news agency. The provincial capital, Hangzhou, along with the cities of Ningbo and Shaoxing, have been the hardest hit. Of the 138 total cases, Ningbo accounted for 44, Shaoxing for 77, and Hangzhou for 17, according to local authorities.
Health officials in Zhejiang confirmed that whole-genome sequencing and analysis identified the sub-lineage AY.4 of the Delta variant as the cause of the outbreak in these three cities. This particular sub-variant is said to be more transmissible than the original strain of the novel coronavirus and is reported to carry a higher viral load, potentially increasing the risk of further spread. An official with the Zhejiang provincial center for disease control and prevention was quoted as saying that the AY.4 sub-lineage posed a significant threat due to its rapid transmission rate.
In response to the outbreak, local authorities have swiftly imposed strict measures, including restrictions on public gatherings and a ban on travel out of the province. These measures are aimed at curbing the further spread of the virus within Zhejiang and beyond its borders. Zhejiang Province is home to approximately 64.6 million people, and the authorities’ decision to limit travel has affected millions of residents, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
The surge in cases in Zhejiang comes amid broader concerns about China’s zero-COVID policy, which seeks to eliminate the virus through aggressive containment strategies. Although the country has largely controlled domestic transmission through strict lockdowns, mass testing, and travel restrictions, the appearance of the new Delta sub-lineage has raised fresh concerns about the sustainability and efficacy of this approach.
On Sunday, the Chinese mainland recorded 101 confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 80 were linked to local transmissions, while the remaining 21 cases were reported from individuals arriving from overseas, according to data from the National Health Commission. Additionally, the country reported 17 new asymptomatic cases, bringing the total number of asymptomatic patients under medical observation to 444.
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Of the 80 local transmission cases, 74 were found in Zhejiang, five in Inner Mongolia, and one in Shaanxi Province, further illustrating the scale of the outbreak in Zhejiang. The National Health Commission’s data indicates that China continues to battle localized outbreaks despite its stringent containment policies.
The rise in COVID-19 cases in Zhejiang has come at a particularly sensitive time for China, as the country prepares to host the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in February. The upcoming international event has heightened concerns among officials about the potential for further outbreaks, particularly given the highly transmissible nature of the Delta variant and its sub-lineages like AY.4. The Chinese government has long maintained strict travel restrictions and quarantine requirements to prevent the virus from spreading, and these latest cases are likely to fuel anxieties about how the country can balance hosting the Winter Olympics with its goal of containing COVID-19.
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in 2019, China has reported a total of 99,780 confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland as of Sunday. This figure includes 1,381 patients currently receiving treatment, with 27 in severe condition. Despite the spate of recent cases, 93,763 patients have been discharged from hospitals, and the country’s official death toll stands at 4,636.
China’s zero-COVID strategy has been largely effective in suppressing widespread outbreaks, but the emergence of new and more transmissible variants like the Delta strain and its sub-lineage AY.4 poses new challenges to the nation’s efforts. As the country continues its battle against the virus, the current situation in Zhejiang will serve as a critical test of China’s ability to contain new variants while maintaining public health measures and preparing for the upcoming Winter Olympics.
With the spike in infections, authorities will need to navigate a delicate balance between continuing economic activity, public safety, and international obligations, especially with the looming global spotlight on China for the February 2022 Olympic Games.
