The Chinese authorities in Shanghai reported Saturday a record number of symptomatic Covid-19 cases, as several other Chinese regions strengthened control with an aim to limit the Omicron variant.

The news agency said that the Zhengzhou Airport Economic Zone, a central Chinese manufacturing area - announced Friday a 14-day lockdown "to be adjusted according to the epidemic situation."

Avoiding unnecessary movement & working from home

After recording dozens of Covid-19 cases, the city of Xian in northwestern China and the city of Suzhou near Shanghai urged their residents to avoid unnecessary movement outside their residential compounds and recommended that employees work from home.

However, responding to concerns over potential food shortages, a Xian government official assured Saturday that the city will not impose a lockdown.

City's Covid-19 cases make up majority of cases in China

Shanghai reported a record 3,590 symptomatic cases for April 15 and 19,923 asymptomatic cases.

The city's Covid-19 cases make up the majority of cases in China, although its 25 million residents are under lockdown.

China's "dynamic clearance" is the "best choice at this stage"

It is noteworthy that China's "dynamic clearance" policy aims to quickly contain occasional virus outbreaks as they occur.

A commentary in the Chinese Communist Party's official People's Daily newspaper considered that the policy was the "best choice at this stage based on China's current epidemic situation."

Analysts: China's economic growth rate this year will be affected

Nevertheless, analysts believe that the ongoing restrictions are likely to lead to delays in shipments from companies and affect China's economic growth rate this year.

China's National Health Commission announced that on April 15, 24,791 new Covid-19 cases, of which 3,896 were symptomatic and 20,895 were asymptomatic, were reported.