Lockdowns were imposed in parts of Beijing on Saturday (Jun 13) to try to prevent the spread of a new coronavirus cluster, with 57 new COVID-19 cases reported.

It is the highest number of new cases reported in China since Apr 13, according to data released by the national health authority on Sunday.

There are fears of a resurgence in local transmissions in China, where the outbreak curve has been months ahead of the rest of the world, and comes as many European nations are further lifting lockdowns.

After the disease emerged late last year in central China, authorities there largely eliminated transmission within their borders through hyper-strict lockdowns later emulated across the globe.

But on Thursday, Beijing announced its first infection in two months and then said 50 more cases had been linked to the large Xinfadi meat and vegetable market in the city's southwestern Fengtai district.

More cases connected with the market emerged on Saturday after wider testing.