People in China are speculating that a health official in Shanghai has committed suicide due to enormous stress. Public discontent is rising in the city amid a lockdown aimed at curbing the coronavirus.

The health department in Shanghai's Hongkou District, where the 55-year-old worked, said he died on Tuesday. It did not disclose the cause.

The Sing Tao Daily in Hong Kong says rumors are spreading online that he may have taken his own life.

Daily coronavirus cases in Shanghai are hovering at record highs. Authorities confirmed 23,072 on Thursday.

Chinese leaders say they will continue enforcing a "zero-COVID" policy, but officials in Shanghai are dealing with growing public frustration.

Residents say the lockdown makes its hard to obtain even basic daily items.