China’s worst coronavirus outbreak since the start of the pandemic a year and a half ago has escalated with dozens of more cases around the country that have caused the sealing-off of one city and the punishment of its local leaders.

Another Covid-19 hotspot is emerging in the city of Zhangjiajie. The city ordered residential communities to be sealed on Sunday, preventing people from leaving their homes. In a subsequent order on Tuesday, officials said no one, whether tourist or resident, could leave the city.

The country is on high alert as an outbreak of cases connected to the international airport in Nanjing city has touched at least 17 provinces. China has reported 71 new cases of Covid-19 from local transmission.

Read the full AP story here.