China abandoned its rigorous zero COVID policy on December 7, increasing infections as the Chinese government shifted its priority from vaccination to population protection.
China has reported around 60,000 COVID-related deaths since the country’s lockdown restrictions were lifted in early December.
The statement follows allegations that the Chinese government was withholding information regarding the pandemic’s status.
China abandoned its stringent zero COVID policy on December 7, resulting in an increase in infections among a population with low immunity, as the Chinese government had previously prioritized population protection over-vaccination.
Beijing reported that the latest coronavirus outbreak appears to have passed its “emergency peak.”
The average age of the 59,938 patients who died in hospitals between December 8 and January 12 was 80,3.
Officials said that 5,503 were caused by COVID infection-related impairment of respiratory function. While 54,435 were the result of a mix of illnesses and coronavirus.
The report would more than quadruple the official death toll from COVID-19 in China to 10,775. The number reached 5,272 on January 8th.
Officials said that COVID fever and emergency hospital admissions had reached their high. But the number of coronavirus patients in hospitals continued to decrease.
However, China reported that these “deaths due to COVID” took place in hospitals, leaving open the potential that additional people died at home.
Long lineups at funeral homes
Jiao Yahui, an official with the National Health Commission, stated during a news conference that “the number of fever clinic visitors is generally in a downward trend after peaking, both in cities and rural areas.”
Ms. Jiao stated that both the number of patients requiring emergency care and the proportion of patients who tested positive for COVID-19 were decreasing.
Wen Daxiang, a representative of the Shanghai Health Commission, stated that China would boost health monitoring and management of its high-risk population, as well as increase the availability of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment in rural areas.
In the past month, authorities reported no more than five deaths each day. Despite the long lines at funeral homes and the sight of corpse bags leaving overcrowded hospitals.
Officials announced last month that monthly reports would replace daily ones.
What is the UK’s response?
The UK declared that random COVID-19 testing would be conducted on direct flights from mainland China to the UK.
The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stated that under the new initiative. “A sample of passengers traveling in England from mainland China will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival.”
The agency stated that Heathrow passengers would be requested to participate and all positive samples would be forwarded for sequencing.
Compared to China, which recorded about 60,000 COVID-related fatalities in just over a month. The United Kingdom has witnessed nearly 178,000 deaths within 28 days of a positive test since the UK began tracking COVID-related deaths.
