More than two dozen new coronavirus cases in China and the
first New Zealand infections in almost a month on Tuesday underlined the
immense challenges still ahead in containing the deadly pandemic, even as some
EU nations reopened their borders to fellow Europeans.
More than eight million people have now been infected with
the virus worldwide since it first emerged in China late last year -- with more
than 435,000 deaths -- and the tolls are still surging in Latin America and
South Asia.
Caseloads have declined across Europe, however, and
governments are keen to ease lockdowns that have saved lives but devastated
economies -- despite experts warning that restrictions will be required until a
vaccine or effective treatment is developed.
The latest reminder of the threat came on Tuesday from
China, which had largely brought its outbreak under control, as 27 new
infections were reported in Beijing, where a new cluster linked to a wholesale
food market has sparked mass testing and neighbourhood lockdowns.
"The epidemic situation in the capital is extremely
severe," Beijing city spokesman Xu Hejian warned, as the number of
confirmed infections soared to 106. (AFP)
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