05/26/2023 12:16 (act. 05/26/2023 12:17)
A corona wave is rolling over China again. ©AP (symbol image)
A massive corona wave with tens of millions of infections a week is currently unfolding in China.
The number of infections has been rising steadily for weeks now. In Beijing alone, Covid-19 has been the predominant virus among all infectious diseases for four weeks now, as announced by the capital’s health commission on Friday. Schools in some parts of China have been urged to be vigilant and take preventive measures.
Zhong Nanshan waits for the corona wave to peak
Leading Chinese epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan expects the wave to peak in late June, with around 65 million new infections a week. The increase is “expected”. According to state media, he currently takes on about 40 million infections a week. Experts have pointed to the decline in immunity after the huge corona wave in December and January, when 80 to 90% of China’s 1.4 billion people were infected, according to vague estimates.
Official data on winter death tolls are not available. Estimates of foreign experts assume about a million. According to media reports, the Ministry of Administration has postponed the regular publication scheduled for Wednesday on the number of deaths in the fourth quarter of 2022. Crematoriums have been overwhelmed by the large number of corona deaths.
Corona wave invades China with millions of infections a week
After nearly three years, China’s government abruptly abandoned its strict Covid-zero strategy with lockdowns, forced quarantines and mass testing in early December – without hospitals being prepared for it. However, such a big wave as before is not expected now. However, health authorities have warned that the elderly and the sick continue to be particularly at risk.
The omicron XXB variant, which spreads more quickly and escapes the immune system more easily, is predominant. However, there are no significant changes in the course of the disease. State media experts said anyone infected in winter can expect milder symptoms if they become infected again.
Critics pointed out that the vaccination campaign has not been carried out intensively since the winter. Authorities reported that two vaccines have already been approved to specifically target the XXB variant. However, it was not clear when they would enter the market. Just said “soon”. Modern mRNA vaccines from abroad are not yet approved in China.
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