China reports 2 new COVID deaths as some restrictions eased

By ZEN SOO

HONG KONG (AP) — China has reported two additional deaths from COVID-19 as some cities move cautiously to ease anti-pandemic restrictions. The National Health Commission on Sunday said one death was reported each in the provinces of Shandong and Sichuan. No information was given about the ages of the victims or whether they had been fully vaccinated. China, where the virus first was detected in late 2019 in the central city of Wuhan, is the last major country trying to stop transmission completely through quarantines, lockdowns and mass testing. Concerns over vaccination rates, particularly among the elderly, are believed to figure prominently in the ruling Communist Party’s determination to stick to its hardline strategy. Some fear millions could die if restrictions were lifted entirely.