 Asia latest: China's reports new ground zero cases; Japan cartoon series paused Hong Kong (AFP) May 11, 2020 - Here are the latest developments in Asia related to the novel coronavirus pandemic: - Wuhan reports new cases - China reported a new cluster of coronavirus cases in the city of Wuhan. Five new infections were confirmed in one district of Wuhan, the city believed to be ground zero for the global pandemic. The city in central Hubei province only emerged from lockdown roughly four weeks ago, after weeks of dwindling cases. - No nightlife for Korea - South Korea announced its highest number of new infections in more than a month, driven by a cluster in a Seoul nightlife district. Over the weekend the capital -- as well as neighbouring Gyeonggi province and the nearby city of Incheon -- ordered all clubs and bars shut after a burst of new cases sparked fears of a second wave. Officials reported 35 new infections, taking the total to 10,909, after recording only single-digit increases for eight of the preceding 12 days. Authorities later linked 86 cases to the nightclub cluster. - India cases jump - India saw its biggest single-day jump in coronavirus cases, even as prime minister Narendra Modi was set to meet with state leaders to discuss how to gradually exit the lockdown. The health ministry reported 4,213 new infections. Nationwide, there have been almost 70,000 cases, with more than 2,000 deaths confirmed. Despite the increase, Modi is expected to discuss with state leaders later on Monday how to gradually exit the lockdown and boost the flagging economy. India was due to lift the shutdown on May 17. - Horses out, humans in - One of Singapore's horse-racing clubs will convert parts of its grounds to house mild cases of virus-infected migrant workers. Although such workers form the majority of the city-state's 23,000 cases, many do not require hospitalisation. Many are currently being housed in community care facilities, rather than their crowded dormitories. The Singapore Turf Club, which operates and manages the racecourse, said parts of the facility will be converted so workers can be temporarily housed and relieve pressure on hospitals. - New Zealand to end lockdown - New Zealand will phase out its coronavirus lockdown over the next 10 days after successfully containing the virus, although some restrictions will remain, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. From Thursday shopping malls, restaurants, cinemas and playgrounds will reopen -- with the country moving to Level Two on its four-tier system. New Zealand has only 90 active cases. - Sri Lanka stocks nosedive - Sri Lanka's stock exchange was shut 38 seconds after opening for the first time since a 52-day lockdown was imposed as a plunge in share prices triggered a circuit breaker. Soon after the restart, prices tumbled 10 percent, leading the Colombo Stock Exchange to stop trading. - Coronavirus cuts cartoon - Production of the world's longest-running cartoon and a mainstay of the Japanese weekend has been interrupted by the coronavirus, forcing the broadcast of re-runs for the first time in decades. "Sazae-san" first aired in 1969 and revolves around the life of Mrs Sazae, a cheerful but klutzy full-time housewife. The popular 30-minute episodes will stop from May 17, the network said, and re-runs will be aired each Sunday instead. - Record Bangladesh daily cases - Bangladesh recorded 1,034 new cases in the previous 24 hours -- eclipsing the previous record of 887 cases set a day earlier -- even as lock-down restrictions continued to be eased. Some 15,692 cases have now been recorded, with 239 deaths. burs-rbu/fox
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China reported a new cluster of coronavirus cases in Wuhan Monday after a month without fresh infections at the pandemic's global epicentre, as a northeastern city was placed under lockdown.
The cases added to fears China could be facing a new wave of infections, even as restrictions continued to ease in some other parts of the country.
Five new infections were confirmed in one residential district of Wuhan, the central Chinese city where the virus was initially detected late last year and which emerged from its own lockdown roughly four weeks ago, following dramatically dwindling numbers.
Authorities also issued stay-at-home orders and travel bans in Shulan, a city of around 670,000 people in northeastern China, after three new infections were confirmed there.
The disease first emerged late last year, sweeping through Wuhan city and surrounding Hubei province, killing thousands and sickening many more.
Authorities in Wuhan imposed draconian restrictions on travel and movement in what appeared to have been a successful bid to quash the outbreak.
That lockdown eased in recent weeks as officials said the disease was under control, with travel to and from the city allowed.
But on Sunday authorities acknowledged one person had tested positive for the virus in Wuhan, followed by another five on Monday.
Local authorities said all new cases were from the same residential compound, mostly older people, and an official from the affected district has been dismissed for "insufficient" virus containment efforts.
There were also 11 new "asymptomatic" cases reported in wider Hubei province. China is recording symptomatic and asymptomatic cases separately.
In a stark warning of the dangers of a fresh wave after weeks of declining case numbers, a local cluster of coronavirus cases grew in Shulan.
The city's public transportation -- as well as taxis and trains leaving the city -- was suspended Sunday, with Jilin province raising its emergency alert to the highest level, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Jilin's provincial capital imposed a 21-day quarantine and mandatory four nucleic acid tests for arrivals from Shulan.
Five new cases were reported Monday in the country's northeast near North Korea, which claims to have no coronavirus cases.
- Students monitored -
The news of new infections at the global ground zero comes as many European nations begin the tricky task of navigating out of lockdowns imposed to halt the spread of the virus.
It also comes as swathes of the US ease restrictions on movement -- despite still rising rates of infection -- and as citizens chafe under rules many say are government overreach.
The virus has now infected more than four million people worldwide -- claiming more than 280,000 lives -- and crippled the global economy.
The total number infected in China is around 83,000, with more than 4,600 dead.
No new deaths have been reported nationwide for nearly a month, with life in China gradually returning to normal after months of disruption.
Shanghai Disneyland reopened Monday, while the national government gave the green light last week for cinemas and sports venues to reopen.
More students returned to school in Beijing on Monday, weeks after senior high school students were allowed to return to campuses in the capital.
China has faced criticism both at home and abroad for downplaying the virus and concealing information about the outbreak when it first emerged in Wuhan. Doubt has also been cast over the official toll.
Beijing has insisted it has always shared information with the World Health Organization and other countries in a timely manner.
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