People wearing masks to prevent the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) walk on a street in Beijing, China. (Image: Reuters)
China anticipates a peak in the Covid-19 surge with an estimated 65 million weekly infections, prompting enhanced measures.
An ongoing wave of COVID-19 infections in China has forced authorities to step up vaccination programs to prevent the recent spike. This spike in cases is expected to peak in June and infect 65 million people in a week Washington Post informed of.
The report suggested that new XBB variants of Covid-19 are mutating to overcome the immunity developed after China abandoned its Covid zero policy last year.
The report cited Chinese epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan, who on Monday announced two new vaccines for XBB omicron sub-variants (including XBB. 1.9.1, XBB. 1.5, and XBB. 1.16) have been given preliminary approval. Went.
Three to four other new vaccines will also be approved soon.
At least 85% of the population fell ill when China achieved Covid zero last winter. This new wave could be the largest number of infections recorded since the lifting of strict measures.
However, Chinese officials claim that the current wave will be less severe. He pointed out that the elderly population is at risk and a vigorous vaccination campaign should be launched to prevent them from getting infected.
“The number of infections will be less. Severe cases would certainly be fewer, and deaths fewer, but it could still be a huge number. Even when we think it is a minor wave, it could still have a considerable health impact on the community,” an epidemiologist was quoted as saying. Washington Post,
The Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention noted a significant increase in Covid cases during the last two weeks of April, surpassing the flu, making it the most prevalent infectious disease.
Amid concerns, Chinese experts told The Washington Post that re-infections would be milder and hospitals would not be as overwhelmed as last winter.
Some medical facilities are advising vulnerable individuals and senior citizens to wear masks and avoid crowded places.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), China has recorded more than 99 million Covid-19 cases since the start of the pandemic. Experts believe that this number could be much higher than this figure. More than 121,144 people have died due to Covid-19 in China and experts believe that even this number is not a true reflection of Covid deaths in the country.
