Two hospitals in China's locked-down city of Xi'an, including one that refused to treat an eight-month pregnant woman who later miscarried, have been closed while they “rectify” mistakes, Reuters quotes authorities as saying.

The historic city, one of several in China experiencing coronavirus outbreaks, has been subject to strict home confinement for three weeks in line with Beijing's “zero-Covid” strategy.

Top health officials were forced to apologise last week after a distressing social media post —including photos and video of the woman sitting on a plastic stool outside Gaoxin Hospital in a pool of blood — prompted outrage over the megacity's harsh imposition of the rules.

Cases have begun to slow in Xi'an in recent days, with only six reported on Thursday.