be hospitalized reaffirming his decision note to put new restrictions in place ahead of the holiday. >> reporter: china's government has punished 26 officials for their handling of the city's covid-19 outbreak. xian has recorded 200 covid cases since december 9th and put its 13 million residents under strict lockdown. authorities punished 10 officials for their, quote, sloppy execution and chaotic management that caused an outbreak in a quarantine hotel for overseas travelers. with the winter olympics less than 45 days away, local authorities are under immense pressure to keep covid cases out. cities across china have been locking down and mass testing in response to a handful of new cases. >> here in the u.s., health care workers are bracing for their second covid christmas. the hopes and promise of vaccinations, even booster shots seems to not have come through for icu staff and hospitals large and small.