Coronavirus: China hits infection record as authorities walk line between containment and easing harsh measures

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China’s daily Covid-19 infections have jumped to a record high as local authorities scramble to contain expanding outbreaks while balancing their response against a central government order not to impose excessive measures.

The National Health Commission reported 31,444 local infections on Thursday morning, including 27,517 who are yet to show symptoms. The case count exceeded the previous peak in mid-April when Shanghai was under hard lockdown and more than 29,000 local infections were reported nationwide.