China reports major drop in virus cases in locked-down Xi’an

By HUIZHONG WU
Associated Press

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China has reported a major drop in COVID-19 infections in the northern city of Xi’an, which has been under a tight lockdown for the past two weeks that has sharply disrupted the lives of its 13 million residents. The National Health Commission announced just 35 new cases in Xi’an, home to the famed Terracotta Warriors statues, down from 95 the day before. That marks a steady decline since daily new cases topped 100, and officials say they have basically cut off community transmission. With the Beijing Olympics beginning Feb. 4, China is doubling down on measures to prevent any new outbreak that could affect the proceedings.