Beijing’s symptomatic cases more than doubled to 60, as authorities acknowledged on Monday that the coronavirus had spread in the Chinese capital without being detected for about a week. Shanghai’s deaths soared to 51, while symptomatic cases jumped 76.4 percent over 24 hours by 2,472, according to data released on Monday, reports South China Morning Post.

“The strongest measures must be taken to stop transmissions,” according to the Shanghai government’s statement, citing instructions by Vice-Premier Sun Chunlan on Sunday. “A prolonged coronavirus outbreak will cost more social resources if we do not contain the pandemic soon.”

Shanghai has been put under lockdown for several weeks now.

Panic over lockdown imposition has gripped other Chinese cities as well.

According to the BBC, the Chaoyang district reported 26 cases over the weekend - the highest number so far in Beijing's latest surge.

Following this sudden surge in Covid cases, long queues have formed outside supermarkets and shops amid fears of a similar lockdown situation in Shanghai.

According to a notice by the city's disease prevention team, all 3.5 million residents in Chaoyang, Beijing's most populous district, will undergo three rounds of mass testing, BBC reported.

Amid rush to stock up essential supplies, the capital's major supermarkets have extended their opening hours.

Meanwhile, China Daily quoted Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, as saying that Beijing is likely to witness a surge in Covid cases in the coming days.