China has reported deaths from the coronavirus for the second straight day. Authorities are stepping up vigilance against the spread of the virus.

The Chinese government says about 26,000 new cases were confirmed in all 31 municipalities in the mainland on Sunday.

Officials reported that two COVID-19 patients in Beijing, a 91-year-old woman and an 88-year-old man with pre-existing health conditions, died on Sunday. This followed the first reported fatality from the coronavirus in about six months on Saturday.

China has stringent restrictions in place under its zero-COVID policy. Officials in Beijing are advising people to refrain from non-essential outings, and work from home.

Some commercial facilities have suspended operations. Many stores in the Wangfujing shopping street of central Beijing were closed on Monday, with few people around.

In the populous Chaoyang district, which has reported the largest number of cases in Beijing, all restaurants have been banned from providing dine-in services. Some establishments have put up large sheets of paper calling on people to take thorough anti-virus measures.