China’s COVID measures have lead to people avoiding public spaces. Source: Adrian Wang on Unsplash
Streets in some of China’s major cities are reportedly deserted as people stay home to protect themselves from the country’s surging COVID cases. This comes barely a month after the country’s government finally eased its strict zero COVID-19 measures.
On Sunday, the Chinese government reported 2,097 new COVID cases—a steady downtrend from previous days’ numbers. However, as mass-testing for the virus has ended, there are doubts as to whether official test numbers will cover the full scope of the virus’ spread. China has reported only two COVID deaths since easing its restrictions on December 7th.
After growing public outcry and dissent in China, the country suddenly ended its strict zero COVID policy on December 7th. While many restrictions remain, the new policies no longer include mass testing and quarantine camps.
According the China’s chief epidemiologist Wu Zunyou, the country is now in the first of three expected COVID waves. He expects the current wave to occur mainly in the cities, ending in mid-January. The next wave will likely occur in late January, in the wake of the Lunar New Year starting on January 21st. During this time, people traditionally move en masse across the country to spend the holiday with family.
The spike in cases is impacting numerous services and industries. Some schools have already begun the transition to online learning. According to Reuters, funeral homes and crematoriums in Beijing are struggling to keep up with demand.
However, WHO emergencies director Mike Ryan notes that the current surge of cases began prior to the easement of restrictions. Speaking at the UN health agency headquarters in Geneva, he said:
“There’s a little narrative at the moment that in some way, China lifted the restrictions and all of a sudden, the disease is out of control. The disease was spreading intensively because I believe the control measures in themselves were not stopping the disease. And I believe that the Chinese authorities have decided strategically that that, for them is not the best option anymore.”
Last week, China’s national health commission announced a second rollout of COVID-19 vaccine boosters for over 60-years-olds and other high risk-groups. Roughly 90 per cent of China’s population is vaccinated against COVID-19. In total, the country has administered 3.45 billion shots.
