The WHO chief says he is “very concerned” about the situation in China

Beijing abruptly lifted several restrictive measures in early December, particularly in response to a large popular protest movement.

The Director-General of the World Health Organization said on Wednesday that he is “very concerned” about the health situation in China, in connection with the Covid-19 epidemic.

At the beginning of December, Beijing abruptly lifted several health restriction measures, in the face of a protest movement unprecedented since 1989. Thus, Chinese people who tested positive for the virus were no longer required to isolate themselves in closed quarantine centres.

“WHO is very concerned about the evolving situation in China (…). In order to fully assess the risks of the situation, WHO needs more detailed information on the severity of the situation. Disease, hospitalizations and intensive care unit needs,” Tedros said. Adhanom Ghebreyesus at his weekly press conference.

Overcrowded crematoriums

This sudden change in health policy was accompanied by an explosion in the number of cases. Thus, many testimonies circulated on social networks and the media reported that hospitals were overcrowded, and patients were forced to be left on the ground with the help of respiratory apparatus, but also crematoriums working at full speed.

In Beijing, stadiums have been converted into makeshift hospitals to deal with the increasing hospital pressure.