Beijing authorities have closed dozens of metro stations as part of their measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The Chinese capital stated Wednesday that it would close around 40 subway stations, or roughly 10% of its whole system, and hundreds of bus lines.

Since mid-April, Beijing has been on high alert when ten middle school kids tested positive for COVID-19, prompting widespread panic buying of groceries and other supplies in anticipation of a possible citywide lockdown akin to that imposed on Shanghai's financial district. Authorities have initiated an overall testing drive for most of the country's 21 million citizens while also closing schools and businesses, including gyms and theaters.

Additionally, residential structures in high-risk zones have been shut down, leaving streets almost desolate. Residents of specific neighborhoods have already been asked to work remotely.

According to a state-run Xinhua news agency report, China's national health committee certified 353 confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland on Tuesday, including 260 in Shanghai. On the mainland, 5,075 asymptomatic cases were documented, including 4,722 in Shanghai.

Shanghai fights a roaring outbreak of new COVID-19 cases, primarily due to the highly contagious omicron strain. Many of its 26 million citizens are still under strict orders to remain inside. The closure has prompted angry protests from residents of China's largest city about a scarcity of fresh food and medications.

China has redoubled its commitment to a rigid "zero-COVID" policy, even though it has severely disrupted daily living and brought economic activity to a halt.

The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse provided some of the information for this report.