China locks down buildings, cities as COVID-19's Omicron variant spreads

The Chinese government on Monday mobilized its military to enforce COVID-19 restrictions in what officials say is the worst outbreak since the pandemic began more that two years ago,

China, where the virus was first detected, has part of its COVID lockdown efforts has banned most people from leaving a northeastern province hit by a part by virus that is being attributed to its highly-contagious Omincron variant.

China's National Health Commission reported 1,337 locally transmitted cases in a 24-hour period, most of which were in the industrial province of Jilin. A notice from the government said individuals will now require a police permit to leave the area.

Chinese state TV reported that 7,000 reservists were dispatched to assist with the response, which includes using drones to spray disinfectant. 

Hundreds of cases have been reported in other Chinese cities along the east coast, and even in such cities as Shanghai and capital city Beijing, where six and 41 new cases, respectively, have been found.

Offices and residential buildings in which the infected people were found have been locked down.

Despite seeming small compared to some countries, the number of cases now being reported in mainland China is the highest figure the country has reported since the initial outbreak of the virus in Wuhan in 2020. 

Meanwhile, the semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong reported nearly 27,000 new cases and 249 deaths in the last 24-hour period.

The city, according to the Associated Press, counts its cases differently than do mainland cities – combining rapid and PCR test numbers.

The leader of the city, Carrie Lam, said she will not tighten already tight restrictions, amid uncertainty residents will accept further lockdown measures.