Beijing partially acknowledges the scale of deaths linked to the latest wave

The pressure became too great. On Saturday, January 14, the Chinese authorities acknowledged that the number of deaths related to Covid-19 is much higher than had been indicated until then. Jiao Yahui, director of the Office of Medical Management of the National Health Commission, said that between December 8, 2022, the first day of Covid disease after zero, and January 12, the number of deaths from the disease in Chinese hospitals reached 59,938. Of that number, 5,503 deaths are due to respiratory failure, and the remaining 54,435 are the result of a combination of Covid-19 and other conditions. She added that the average age of those who died was 80.3. Nine out of ten deceased patients were 65 years of age and older.

Until then, China had only counted deaths from respiratory failure, not deaths “related” to Covid-19.. This very restrictive definition has been criticized by the international community and the World Health Organization. The latter welcomed the new Chinese connection. The latter said after a phone conversation on Saturday between Ma Xiaowei, director of the National Health Commission, and Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization. “enjoyment” Information issued by China. However he asked for this detailed information “Keep sharing” In the future, as stated in the WHO press release.

The data presented seems to indicate that the peak of the epidemic has passed. The number of severe cases reportedly peaked on January 5, with 128,000, up from 105,000 a week later. Officially, the occupancy rate of hospital beds in intensive care was 75.3% on January 12. Cautious, WHO wants China to publish more data by province. It is also asking Beijing to share the sequence of the virus further.

Many deaths outside the hospital.

More importantly, the World Health Organization rules, In general, epidemiology (…) It is similar to the waves of infection experienced by other countries, as well as the increasing pressure on health services.. Obviously, the zero Covid policy that China conducted from January 2020 to December 7, 2022 did not allow the country to permanently protect itself against the virus, but only delayed the deadlines by three years. Especially since the actual number of deaths is much higher than the indicated 59,938, since the last figure only takes into account deaths that occurred in the hospital.

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