Beijing residents partied after dodging a COVID lockdown. The celebrations caused an outbreak, prompting new lockdowns.

Just over a week ago, residents of the China's capital flocked to bars and restaurants to celebrate. There were two reasons to raise a glass. The first was the return of normal life after a patchwork of anti-coronavirus lockdowns kept businesses closed and confined many people to their homes for months. The second was their narrow escape.

Beijingers had dodged the kind of massive lockdown that Chinese authorities imposed on Shanghai, paralyzing the global business hub for two months and leaving some 25 million people trapped at home.

But it turned out the celebrations were premature.