(Yicai Global) Dec. 15 -- Chinese stock markets closed higher yesterday, but started off mixed today as wariness set in on news that the ravages of Covid-19 are intensifying in the US.

The Shanghai Composite Index started at 3,366.58, down 0.08 percent, while the Chinese Nasdaq Star Market Board 50 Index, or Star 50, lost 0.08 percent to 1,373.96.

The Shenzhen Component Index opened 0.07 percent lower to 13,682.27. The ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises listed in Shenzhen, rose 0.052 percent to 2,727.95.

As of 3:55 p.m. yesterday, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the US had exceeded 16.38 million, and the cumulative number of deaths had passed 300,000, according to data released by Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University.

Editor: Ben Armour