BEIJING — The first Covid-related deaths on the Chinese mainland since May, when Shanghai was still under lockdown, occurred over the weekend when three people contracted the infection.
According to state media, the three victims, who ranged in age from 87 to 91, all lived in Beijing and had pre-existing medical conditions. No mention of their vaccination status was made in the reports.

As the number of local cases increased to several hundred per day, including infections with and without symptoms, Beijing city tightened Covid controls before the weekend.

Restaurants in Beijing’s Chaoyang business district could only provide take-out or delivery. Numerous gyms, a few supermarkets, and at least one significant retail centre have temporarily shut down.

Some schools in the capital city have switched to online learning. Several apartment buildings have been shut down, and inhabitants are not allowed to leave.