2022 Shanghai COVID-19 outbreak
A COVID-19 outbreak in the city of Shanghai, China began on February 28, 2022,[1] and ended on August 7, 2022.[2] The outbreak was caused by the Omicron variant and became the most widespread in Shanghai since the pandemic began two years prior.[7] Authorities responded with mass COVID-19 testing and a strict lockdown of the city in an effort to uphold China's zero-COVID policy;[8] the latter marked the largest one in the country since the lockdown of Hubei in early 2020.[9] The outbreak caused substantial economic and social disruption across Shanghai with consequences felt elsewhere, and led to the spread of COVID-19 to other parts of China, including Beijing, Guangdong, and Hunan.
For the whole pandemic since 2020, see COVID-19 pandemic in Shanghai.Impacts[edit]
The outbreak and the strict response had significant economic impacts.[72] Oil prices fell globally.[73] By mid-April, the lockdown had led to Shanghai residents complaining of food shortages.[74]
On April 12, the United States announced they required all non-essential workers at the Shanghai consulate to leave.[75]
During late March, Zhang Wenhong, a doctor who made many speeches during the pandemic, has been absent for a few events, some media suspect that this is a "sign" made by Shanghai government.[76]