Covid cases in China touch 900 million, claims study

Covid cases in China have touched a jaw-dropping 900 million by January 11, BBC reported quoting a Peking University study. Around 64 per cent of the Chinese population is estimated to be infected by the coronavirus, the study has revealed.

Gansu province is on top with approx 91 per cent of people being infected followed by Yunnan 84 per cent in the second spot and Qinghai 80 per cent in the third spot.

Peak of China's Covid Wave


Former head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control Zeng Guang has claimed that the peak of covid surge in China was expected to last two to three months. Rural China is warned of an upsurge in cases in the lunar new year by the top Chinese epidemiologist.

After abandoning the zero-Covid policy with reduced restrictions on traveling, millions of Chinese have travelled for the first time to their hometowns since the pandemic began. This comes ahead of Chinese lunar new year which will be on January 23. With holidays starting from January 21 in China for Lunar New Year, around two billion people are expected to travel.

Hospitals Overcrowded with Covid Patients

In cities, hospitals are overcrowded as the virus has spread all over the country. However, Officials said many cities and provinces have already passed the peak of infections.

Zero Covid policies were abruptly abandoned in China last month and also borders are reopened on Sunday.

Official data shows five or fewer deaths a day in contradiction to long queues at funerals and more deaths reported on social media. Chinese officials have now planned to update the Covid situation in the country every month instead of daily reports.


The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also alleged China of under-reporting Covid deaths. However, Wang Wenbin, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Beijing is transparently sharing Covid data on regular basis.

Approximately millions of covid deaths are predicted this year in China by international health experts. Though only 5000 deaths are officially reported by Beijing since the pandemic began.

FAQs:

1. When is coronavirus first detected?
   It was first detected in December 2019 in Wuhan, China.
2. What is coronavirus?
   It is SARS-CoV-2 virus caused infection.