Beijing is facing an "explosive" situation. Saturday, a government spokeswoman warned of a COVID-19 outbreak linked to a club. At the same time, the commercial metropolis of Shanghai initiated mass testing to curb an increase in cases related to a prominent beauty salon.

The warning followed a recent tightening of COVID restrictions in Beijing, with at least two districts – including the city's most populous, Chaoyang – shutting some entertainment venues following an outbreak in a popular area known for its nightlife, shopping, and embassies.

President Xi Jinping has doubled down on a zero-COVID policy that authorities claim is necessary to safeguard the elderly and the medical system, even as other countries attempt to live with the virus.

Only 5,226 deaths have occurred in the nation of 1.4 billion people.

The most recent incidents in Beijing were related to Heaven Supermarket Bar, a drinking venue. Since then, there has been an increase in infections, with Beijing announcing on Saturday that all 61 new cases discovered in the city on Friday had either visited the pub or had connections to it.

"The recent outbreak of cases related to Heaven Supermarket Bar is explosive in nature and widespread in scope, and the composition of the individuals involved is also complex," Xu Hejian, a spokesperson for the Beijing city government, said at a news briefing.

As of 3 p.m. local time (0700 GMT) on Saturday, Liu Xiaofeng, a health official, reported 46 new cases of COVID in the capital. Liu stated that all cases were detected in patients already under isolation or observation. At the briefing, the city did not announce the installation of new curbs.

One hundred fifteen cases and 6,158 close contacts linked to the bar have been identified, re-inducing fear in the 22 million-person city.

Less than two weeks ago, Beijing eased COVID restrictions imposed in April to combat a large epidemic.

With the COVID comeback, the expansive Universal Beijing Resort - a theme park on the city's outskirts – revoked a plan to reopen on Friday evening and said it would remain closed until further notice. According to police in Beijing, three of its employees entered the Heaven Supermarket bar.

Residents in several communities in the capital have been ordered to remain inside.

On Saturday, city officials in Shanghai reported three confirmed local cases and one asymptomatic case discovered outside of quarantined regions, as virtually all of the city's 25 million citizens began a new round of COVID testing.

This weekend, authorities in 15 of Shanghai's 16 districts have required PCR testing for all residents, with five prohibiting individuals from leaving their homes during the testing time. On Saturday, a city official told a press conference that until July 31, residents of Shanghai are required to take at least one PCR test per week.

The new tests were conducted just ten days after the city lifted a two-month lockdown aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 within the community, causing concern among many residents who endured lost income, the loss of freedom, the death of friends and family members, and even hunger during that time.

"I am somewhat concerned because if there are positive cases in the compound, it will be sealed off," said Shi Weiqi, a resident of Shanghai. "I will also properly stock up on supplies in case the previous situation reoccurs."

On Saturday, Shanghai reported seven additional local symptomatic cases, one more than a day before, of which six were identified outside of restricted regions.

Additionally, the city reported nine additional asymptomatic cases, up from six the day before.

On Saturday, the National Health Commission announced that mainland China reported 210 new coronavirus cases on June 10, of which 79 were symptomatic, and 131 were asymptomatic.

This increased over the previous day's 151 new cases, including 45 symptomatic and 106 asymptomatic illnesses, which China records separately.

On Friday, mainland China confirmed 224,659 symptomatic cases.