Shanghai reports first official COVID deaths from latest outbreak

• The strict "zero COVID" strategy came with a cost, spurring a food crisis, censorship and separating some children from their parents who tested positive for COVID-19.
• Last week, Shanghai authorities began easing the lockdown for some residents due to the food crisis.

The big picture: City officials said the three deaths occurred among elderly, unvaccinated patients who had pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

• "After entering hospital, their conditions grew worse and they died after attempts to save them were unsuccessful," Wu Ganyu, the city Health Commission inspector, told reporters, per AP.
• Shanghai's strict lockdown continues, with most people still confined to their homes.

But, but, but: Dissent against the lockdown rules has also risen, with videos circulating on social media showing citizens scuffling with health workers and screaming in anger from their apartment windows, Reuters reported.

• Arrests and detentions for breaking COVID-related rules also surged in March, Reuters reported, citing search results on the Weibo social media platform for police statements, posts by state agencies and state media reports.