A second wave of infections is feared in China after the country recorded its highest number of daily new coronavirus cases in almost six weeks after restrictions were eased.
108 new coronavirus cases were reported in mainland China on Sunday, up from 99 on Saturday. This was the highest number of cases since 143 infections were reported on March 5.
Chinese health officials say the sudden spike is due to infected travellers arriving from abroad, many of them crossing the border from Russia.
Reports indicate that a total of 49 Chinese nationals who entered Heilongjiang province from Russia tested positive. A resident of the border city of Suifenhe identified as Zhu said:
Our little town here, we thought it was the safest place.
Some Chinese citizens they want to come back, but it’s not very sensible, what are you doing coming here for?
China’s new battleground against COVID-19 is now Heilongjiang province, which borders Russia in the north-east, and the new wave of infections threaten to reverse the gains the country has achieved in the battle against the disease.