More than 500 infections were reported across mainland China on Monday, the highest number since the initial outbreak in the central city of Wuhan was brought under control in mid-2020.
The spike comes as cases spiral out of control across the border in southern China's Hong Kong territory, where hospitals are overflowing with patients and locals are robbing supermarkets in panic. , fearing confinement.
China's borders remain virtually closed as policymakers continue to enforce a zero-tolerance approach to the virus.
China, where the coronavirus was first detected in late 2019, is responding to outbreaks with local lockdowns, mass testing, and population control through mobile apps. tracing.
A top Chinese scientist said last week that the country should seek to live with the virus and may abandon its zero-Covid strategy "in the near future".
But National People's Congress spokesman Zhang Yesui dismissed the idea on Friday, ahead of China's annual parliamentary meetings where policies are set for the coming year.
Residents line up to be tested for Covid-19 on March 6, 2022 in Wuhan, China STR AFP
"The path is correct and the results are good," Zhang said.
"Any prevention and control measure will have some cost, but when compared to protecting people's lives and health, those costs are worth it."
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