China coronavirus cases rocket by 108 – the highest number in FIVE WEEKS – amid fears of second wave

CORONAVIRUS cases in China have rocketed by 108 - the highest number in five weeks as experts fear a second wave of the killer virus.

The increases were reported on Sunday, up from 99 a day earlier with 98 of the cases said to have entered from abroad.

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More than 90 per cent of those infected entered the country from abroad after China recently lifted travel restrictions last week.

The National Health Commission said in a statement on Monday that the mainland reported 98 new imported cases, a record high and up from 97 a day earlier, with another 61 new asymptomatic patients.

The total number of confirmed cases in mainland China now stands at 82,160, while the death toll rose by two to 3,341.

Both deaths were recorded in the former epicentre city of Wuhan.

Since the outbreak began in Wuhan in late December last year, China has largely stopped the spread of the disease.

On the worst day of China's outbreak, on February 12, there were over 15,000 new cases recorded.

Although the number of daily infections across China has since dropped sharply, Sunday's increase of 108 new cases marks the highest daily tally since March 5.

SECOND WAVE

This month China has been slowly easing curbs on movement as it tries to get its economy back on track.

But now there are fears that a rise in imported cases could spark a second wave of COVID-19.

Beijing is concerned that infected people entering the country could trigger a second wave and push the country back into a state of near paralysis.

Of the 108 new cases, 98 were from those entering from abroad and half involved Chinese nationals returning from Russia's Far Eastern Federal District.

The northeastern border with Russia has become new frontline in the fight against a resurgence of the coronavirus epidemic in the country.

Confirmed coronavirus cases in neighbouring Russia climbed to 18,400.

The border to Russia is closed, except to Chinese nationals who are crossing into the Heilongjiang province.

The route is one of only a few options available for people trying to return home after Russia stopped flights to China.

Chinese cities near the border with Russia said on Sunday they would tighten border controls and quarantine measures on arrivals.

The Chinese port city of Suifenhe, 1,000 miles from Beijing, went on full lockdown at 6am local time on Wednesday April 8 due to a reported surge in imported cases.

At the height of China's epidemic, leaders ordered massive lockdowns which left millions confined to their homes for months in a state of mass quarantine.

As the numbers of new cases slowed, the communist regime eased restrictions although social distancing, temperature checks and other measures remain in effect.

Businesses throughout the country are also beginning to reopen as people resume work and other activities.

More than 1.8 million people around the world have been diagnosed with Covid-19, and there have been at least 114,331 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins tracker.