China has reported zero new locally transmitted Covid-19 cases for the first time since the virus emerged in the country in December 2019.
The National Health Commission said on Monday that all 13 new confirmed cases reported in the previous 24 hours had come from overseas.
The last time China reported zero local cases was on 20 March 2020, just over a week after the country imposed strict lockdown measures in the central city of Wuhan, where the virus is believed to have originated.
The latest development is a significant milestone in China’s fight against the pandemic, which has infected more than 82,000 people and killed over 4,600 in the country.
China has been gradually easing its lockdown measures in recent weeks, as the number of new cases has declined. However, the government has warned that the risk of a resurgence remains, and has urged people to continue to take precautions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also cautioned that the pandemic is far from over, and has called on countries to remain vigilant and continue to implement public health measures.
In other developments:
* The United States has reported more than 1 million cases of Covid-19, the highest number of any country in the world.
* The United Kingdom has reported more than 250,000 cases of Covid-19, the second highest number in Europe.
* The European Union has agreed on a €750 billion recovery fund to help member states cope with the economic impact of the pandemic.
* The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that the global economy could shrink by 3% this year, the worst recession since the Great Depression.
The Covid-19 pandemic is a global health crisis that has had a profound impact on the world. The virus has infected millions of people, killed hundreds of thousands, and caused widespread economic disruption.
The development of a vaccine is seen as the key to ending the pandemic. However, it is likely to be many months before a vaccine is widely available.
In the meantime, it is important for people to continue to take precautions to protect themselves and others from the virus. These precautions include:
* Washing your hands frequently with soap and water
* Wearing a mask in public places
* Maintaining social distance
* Avoiding large gatherings
By following these precautions, we can help to slow the spread of the virus and save lives..
