On March 28, China announced that it had imposed a lockdown in the city of Shenzhen. The Chinese government is trying to contain the most severe outbreak of COVID-19 in several provinces. China reported that the number of cases had doubled, reaching 3,400 during the weekend from March 26 to 27. Against this background, several financial and technological enterprises located near Hong Kong were shut down. However, some of them switched to remote operation. These measures do not apply to companies supplying food, providing utilities, or other life support services. Other Chinese cities - Shanghai and Changchun in Jilin Province in the northeastern part of the country - were also subject to restrictions. More than 1,400 of the 1,938 new cases were recorded in Jilin Province. Europe has also experienced an upsurge in coronavirus cases. The UK Office for National Statistics estimates that every 25th citizen in the country is infected. Currently, a new sub-variant of the Omicron strain, BA.2, which is 30% more infectious than the original strain, has become more widespread. Germany also fears an increase in the spread of BA.2. On March 28, the Robert Koch Institute estimated that BA.2 cases reached an all-time high. According to Bloomberg, there are 1,543 cases per 100,000 people. France is concerned, too. According to public health officials, the coronavirus case rate has risen sharply. The number of new cases in France has exceeded 73,000, increasing by 20%. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla says that people will require a fourth shot of the vaccine to cope with the virus. The pharmaceutical company is ready to help in this matter by developing a vaccine that targets all strains. While analyzing BA.2, the World Health Organization (WHO) noted that it consists of "genetically related sublineages, including BA.1, BA.2 and BA.3." The BA.1 sub-variant was previously predominant, but BA.2 is predominant now. "This is the predominant Omicron lineage in several countries," the WHO stressed, noting that the agency is in control of the situation.
