China is changing the definition of a “Covid death” only for patients who died of pneumonia or respiratory failure as cases rise
- This led to no deaths being reported yesterday despite the surge in the virus in China
- People with previous illnesses are no longer counted as Covid deaths
- Move could be an attempt to shield the regime from criticism after cases rise
China will count only those dying of pneumonia or respiratory failure in its Covid-19 death toll, a health official said.
This resulted in no deaths being reported yesterday – despite the surge in the virus after the government abandoned its hated ‘zero Covid’ policy.
Patients who die from pre-existing conditions will no longer be counted as Covid deaths, Wang Guiqiang, head of the infectious diseases department at Beijing University First Hospital, said on Tuesday.
China has always been conservative in counting illnesses, whether from flu or Covid-19.
China will count only those who die of pneumonia or respiratory failure among its Covid-19 death toll, a health official said (pictured: travelers entering Shanghai Railway Station in Shanghai, China, on December 21).
This resulted in no deaths being reported yesterday – despite the surge in the virus after the government abandoned its hated ‘zero Covid’ policy
However, the change in the death count will cause the numbers to appear far lower than previous waves.
The move could be an attempt to shield the regime from criticism.
The virus has spread across the country after restrictions were belatedly eased following protests and unrest.
Yesterday, China reported no new Covid deaths among its 1.4 billion people and even deducted one from the total toll, bringing it down to 5,241 since the pandemic began, according to the National Health Commission.
In most countries, guidelines state that any death where the virus is a factor or contributory factor is counted as a Covid-related death.
Yesterday, China reported no new Covid deaths among its 1.4 billion people and even deducted one from the total toll, bringing it down to 5,241 since the pandemic began, according to the National Health Commission
The total number of cases in China is unclear as the country has stopped requiring daily PCR testing and many people are testing at home
Despite claims of low death tolls, crematorium workers have said they are struggling to keep up with deaths
The total number of cases in China is unclear as the country has stopped requiring daily PCR testing and many people are testing at home.
Despite claims of low death tolls, crematorium workers have said they are struggling to keep up with deaths.
Beijing last week admitted the outbreak is “impossible” to trace after mandatory mass testing ends.
But authorities are determined to push ahead with reopening as many cities and regions require infected people without symptoms to go to work as usual this week.
Yesterday, a crematorium in the northwest city of Xi’an said it was “particularly busy”.
And in downtown Changsha, two companies specializing in funeral clothing said they saw an increase in customer numbers.
Beijing has insisted the virus is under control.