China tracks more local flare-ups

China's National Health Commission today reported nine new local cases, the most since late September when the country battled flare-ups in a handful of cities in Fujian province. Five of the local cases are from Xian in Shaanxi province, and two are from Inner Mongolia region.

Officials ordered a lockdown for the Inner Mongolia city of Erenhot, which has reported four local cases since Oct 13, according to Reuters. Officials also sealed off Ejina Banner, also in Inner Mongolia, after five local cases were reported over the past few days, all involving people who had recent contact with two patients in Xian.

The country is among a few in the world that have taken a "zero COVID" approach to fighting the virus.