(Yicai Global) Sept. 24 -- The continuing unchecked global spread of Covid-19 hit mainland investor sentiment, precipitating Chinese stock markets to a steeply lower close this morning.

The Shanghai Composite Index ended 1.46 percent down at 3,231.79 at the lunch break, while the Shenzhen Component Index slid 1.92 percent to 12,859. The ChiNext, which tracks Shenzhen-listed growth enterprises, tumbled 2.12 percent to 2,544.78.

Editor: Ben Armour