NEW Covid-19 cases in locked-down Chinese city Xi’an have fallen to their lowest in a week, said health officials today, as residents face their 11th day under strict home confinement.

China has followed a “zero Covid” approach involving tight border restrictions and swift, targeted lockdowns since the virus first surfaced in a central city in late 2019 – but this strategy has been put under pressure in recent weeks, with a number of local outbreaks and cases remaining stubbornly high.

The historic northern city reported 122 fresh infections today – the lowest since December 25, and down from 174 yesterday.

Zhang Canyou, from the disease control agency, told state broadcaster CCTV that after several rounds of testing and the impact of the lockdown, they have started to see “some positive changes” in Xi’an.

“We will also make some adjustments to the prevention and control measures in a timely way.”

However, the National Health Commission said there are 16 patients in “severe” condition.

Though low compared to numbers elsewhere, fresh infections in recent days have reached a high not seen in China since March 2020.

There have been more than 1,500 Delta cases reported in Xi’an since December 9, and health officials at a press conference yesterday said two patients are in critical condition.

China has not recorded any Covid-19 death since January last year.

Zhongda Hospital’s Critical Care Medicine director Yang Yi told CCTV that there are adequate medical resources.

“We have designated three hospitals for dealing with the Covid-19 patients in the province, and a fourth one is ready for use.”

Xi’an patients range from 2 months old to 90 years old.

CCTV footage shows masked patients being led in exercises in hospital wards by a doctor in a hazmat suit.

Residents in the locked-down city had this week said they are struggling to find enough food, and local officials have asked residents to exercise “understanding and tolerance” as they smooth out supply.

Eastern Ningbo city has also reported seven cases today, where a small cluster has been linked to a garment factory.

State media said all flights out of the city to the capital Beijing have been cancelled. – AFP, January 2, 2022.