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NIGHTCLUBS in China’s former coronavirus epicentre have been heaving with partying youngsters after venues reopened for the first time.

Images show nightlife in the once virus stricken Hubei province city is now back in full swing — while the West scraps Christmas celebration plans. 

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Pandemic what pandemic? Clubbers pack out a venue in Wuhan where Covid crisis began
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Pandemic what pandemic? Clubbers pack out a venue in Wuhan where Covid crisis beganCredit: Reuters
There was clearly no social distancing going with revellers cheek-by-jowl
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There was clearly no social distancing going with revellers cheek-by-jowlCredit: Reuters
Compare those scenes with Wuhan in January after a strict lockdown was imposed
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Compare those scenes with Wuhan in January after a strict lockdown was imposed Credit: Getty Images - Getty

The Covid-19 pandemic began in Wuhan and it is widely speculated that the bug leaked from a virus research laboratory.

But remarkably it has not reported a new locally transmitted case of the disease since May 10 after lifting one of the strictest lockdowns in the world seven months ago. 

In scenes unimaginable in many cities around the world, young Wuhan residents were seen crowd-surfed, scoffed street food and packed the city's nightclubs as they made-up for lost time.

Zhang Qiong, 29, told Reuters: "After experiencing the first wave of epidemic in Wuhan and then the liberation, I feel like I'm living a second life."

Outside, maskless partygoers were seen spilling onto the streets, smoking and playing street games with toy machine guns and balloons.

'NO COVID CASES SINCE MAY'

But these shocking scenes are a far cry from the strict lockdown which was imposed on the central Hubei province city after the killer bug began spiralling out of control.

The city of 11 million was shut off from the rest of China in a surprise overnight lockdown beginning January 23.

Roadblocks were erected and planes, trains and buses were barred from entering the city. 

Almost 3,900 of China's 4,634 recorded Covid-19 deaths occurred in the industrial city.

But after lockdown was lifted images have emerged showing hundreds of people packed shoulder-to-shoulder at a water park music festival.

Huge crowds were also seen thronging the streets to celebrate Halloween. 

It's been almost a year since Covid-19 broke out in Wuhan, but the city claims to be clear of the virus
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It's been almost a year since Covid-19 broke out in Wuhan, but the city claims to be clear of the virusCredit: Reuters
These scenes are a far cry from the start of this year when the city imposed one of the strictest lockdowns in the world
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These scenes are a far cry from the start of this year when the city imposed one of the strictest lockdowns in the worldCredit: Reuters
Officially there have been no cases of Covid since May
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Officially there have been no cases of Covid since MayCredit: Reuters
Many young people are going out to make up for lost time
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Many young people are going out to make up for lost timeCredit: Reuters
The couple poses with toy guns as they enjoy their night out
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The couple poses with toy guns as they enjoy their night out Credit: Reuters
The streets of Wuhan were packed with drinkers
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The streets of Wuhan were packed with drinkersCredit: Reuters
Evidence of a heavy night? Vomit and a phone can be seen on the street
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Evidence of a heavy night? Vomit and a phone can be seen on the streetCredit: Reuters
Empty cups are left on a dining table after a dinner at a street restaurant
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Empty cups are left on a dining table after a dinner at a street restaurantCredit: Reuters
A man with an injured foot waits in line as he queues up to enter a bar
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A man with an injured foot waits in line as he queues up to enter a bar Credit: Reuters

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Officially 3,000 perished in Wuhan from the airborne virus. 

But those living there reportedly believe about 42,000 people died.

Others estimate more given the number of cremation urns being delivered to funeral homes.

So far the pandemic has killed more than 1.6million people globally, with the western world hunkering down for what is usually the party season. 

Scientists believe that Covid-19 first originated in bats before spreading to humans in Wuhan, possibly at one of the Chinese city's so-called wet markets.

Conspiracy theories about its origins persist however, with governments suggesting it may have come from the Wuhan Institute of Virology lab.

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After the strict lockdown ended in April, images emerged of this pool party which was jam-packed despite the pandemic ravaging the world
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After the strict lockdown ended in April, images emerged of this pool party which was jam-packed despite the pandemic ravaging the worldCredit: AFP or licensors
People packed tightly together for the sell-out event 
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People packed tightly together for the sell-out event Credit: AFP or licensors
People dress as medical officials and patients as they dance to celebrate Halloween in Wuhan
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People dress as medical officials and patients as they dance to celebrate Halloween in Wuhan
A handful of people wore masks while some of them wore it under their chin
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A handful of people wore masks while some of them wore it under their chin
Traffic police lift a road blockade in Wuhan as part of a strictly enforced lockdown
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Traffic police lift a road blockade in Wuhan as part of a strictly enforced lockdown
Some suspect the virus leaked out of the Wuhan Institute of Virology
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Some suspect the virus leaked out of the Wuhan Institute of Virology
Medical workers in protective suits attend to Covid-19 patients at the intensive care unit (ICU) of a designated hospital in Wuhan
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Medical workers in protective suits attend to Covid-19 patients at the intensive care unit (ICU) of a designated hospital in WuhanCredit: Reuters
Huge numbers of tractors can be seen building an emergency hospital during the Covid outbreak early this year
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Huge numbers of tractors can be seen building an emergency hospital during the Covid outbreak early this yearCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Thousands of Wuhan locals pack streets for Halloween as rest of world scraps celebrations over Covid second wave
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