Canberra [Australia], December 31 (ANI): Deaths attributed to COVID in China have increased to 9,000 people per day, according to a data firm, reported news.com.au, an Australia-based publication.
The news.com.au report also says that: “British-based research firm Airfinity has doubled the number of people it estimates are dying from COVID in China as the number of infections soar. It comes after Beijing lifted draconian zero-COVID health measures in November that had been in place for years.”
Protests erupted across China due to the harsh lockdowns after 10 people died in an apartment fire. There were allegations that firefighters were stopped from coming inside the apartment block due to the quarantine orders.
The country reversed its COVID policy due to widespread protests in nine cities across China. “Airfinity said its model was based on data from China‘s regional provinces before changes to reporting infections were implemented, combined with case growth rates from other former zero-Covid countries when they lifted restrictions,” reported news.com.au.
The total number of deaths in China linked to COVID in December may hit 100,000, with at least 18.6 million cases. By mid-January, there could be as many as 3.7 million COVID cases in a day. By January 23, a total of 584,000 deaths are expected in China.
According to news.com.au, “Beijing has been accused of withholding health information so it’s hard to accurately assess the numbers. However, China‘s National Health Commission (NHC) last week confirmed that the country’s current outbreak is the largest the world has ever seen.” “More than a billion Chinese could be infected with COVID by March. And more than 30 per cent of the population may have already been infected, that is up to 400 million people,” according to a The Australian report.
The virus is continuing to spread rapidly in China. Workers, however, are being called to go to work unless they have extreme symptoms. Since China relaxed its controversial zero COVID policy last month, the second-largest economy is struggling to deal with the meteoric rise in coronavirus cases throughout the country which is putting a burden on its healthcare system.
British virologist and biologist Jonathan Latham, Executive Director of the Bioscience Resource Project said that Beijing is not being open and transparent about case numbers or deaths and that only accurate data can lead to good decisions in China and elsewhere. “China is not being open and transparent about case numbers or deaths. This is true for many countries though. It would be great to have truly accurate information on those points, however, since only timely and accurate data can lead to good decisions in China and elsewhere. Good data would also test the theory that newer variants such as Omicron have a lower inherent death rate,” Latham told ANI. (ANI)
With new phase of COVID-19, China facing “tough challenges”: Xi
Beijing [China], January 1 (ANI): China is facing “tough challenges” as it enters “a new phase” in its COVID-19 response, President Xi Jinping said in his annual new year’s address on Saturday
“We have now entered a new phase of COVID response where tough challenges remain,” Xi said in his new year message to the nation.
Calling the process of Covid responses “tough challenges,” Xi said that with extraordinary efforts, China has prevailed over unprecedented difficulties and challenges. “In 2022, we successfully convened the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). An ambitious blueprint has been drawn for building a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, sounding a clarion call of the times for us forging ahead on a new journey,” he said.
Talking about the Chinese economy, China‘s President said that the country’s finance has remained the second largest in the world and enjoyed sound development, according to the statement. He also said that the GDP is expected to exceed 120 trillion yuan for the whole year. Despite a global food crisis, China has secured a bumper harvest for the 19th year in a row, putting the country in a stronger position to ensure the food supply of the Chinese people.
“We have consolidated our gains in poverty elimination and advanced rural revitalization across the board. We have introduced tax and fee cuts and other measures to ease the burden on businesses, and made active efforts to solve the most pressing difficulties of deep concern to the people,” Xi said.
Recalling Former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin, who passed away in November, Xi said that he paid high tribute to his towering achievements and noble demeanor, the statement reads.
“Today’s China is a country where dreams become a reality. The Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games concluded with a resounding success. Chinese winter sports athletes gave their all and achieved extraordinary results. Shenzhou-13, Shenzhou-14 and Shenzhou-15 soared into the heavens. China‘s space station was fully completed and our “home in space” is roving in the deep-blue sky,” Xi said.
He further added, ” The people’s armed forces marked the 95th birthday and all service members are marching confidently on the great journey of building a strong military. China‘s third aircraft carrier Fujian was launched. C919, China‘s first large passenger aircraft, was delivered. And the Baihetan hydropower station went into full operation… None of these achievements would have been possible without the sweat and toil of numerous Chinese people. Sparks of talent are coming together, and they are the strength of China!” (ANI)
