China reports sharp rise in COVID-19 cases

China on Tuesday reported 5,280 new COVID-19 cases, more than double the previous day and the highest daily count since the start of the pandemic.

The worst-hit area is the northeastern province of Jilin, which accounted for more than 3,000 cases, according to the National Health Commission.

Tuesday was the sixth day in a row that China had reported more 1,000 new virus cases.

China had successfully suppressed large-scale outbreaks through its strict "zero-COVID" strategy, which involves hard lockdowns that confine huge sections of the population to their homes.

At least 10 cities and counties nationwide have been locked down because of the latest surge, including the southern tech hub of Shenzhen, home to 17 million people.

An outbreak at Volkswagen Group factories in the northeastern city of Changchun also prompted three sites to shut Monday for at least three days, according to a spokesman.

Various other cities including Shanghai have sealed off neighborhoods and buildings.

Health officials have warned tighter restrictions could be on their way.

The governor of Jilin vowed to go all-out to "achieve community zero-COVID in a week" during an emergency meeting Monday night, state media reported. —Agence France-Presse