China punishes 30 officials over pandemic ‘failure’

A medical worker takes swab sample from a resident during a round of mass COVID-19 test in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei province (Chinatopix/AP)

More than 30 Chinese officials have been sacked or received other punishments over accusations they failed to respond properly to the latest surge of the coronavirus in the country.

Among those removed from their posts were a vice mayor, heads of city districts and health commissions, and staff in hospital management, airport and tourism departments.