2023-05-26 17:44:40
China is preparing for a new wave of coronavirus infections, which could reach 65 million cases per week, after easing the restrictions to confront the pandemic, and days after the World Health Organization declared an end to the health emergency related to “Covid 19”.
This health data was revealed by respiratory disease specialist Zhong Nanshan, at a medical conference this week in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, the country that was the cradle of the epidemic.
According to state media, Zhong told the audience that the new wave that began in late April was “expected,” and that his statistical model indicated that China might approach 40 million infections per week, and by the end of June, infections would peak at 65 million cases per week.
By comparison, the United States was reporting more than 5 million cases per week at the peak of the epidemic wave in January 2022.
And in early May, the World Health Organization announced that the Corona virus no longer constitutes a global health emergency, which sparked controversy about the response of health systems worldwide to the pandemic, 3 years after it inflicted severe damage on the global economy.
Different consciousness
Chinese youth Qi Chang says that residents have a different feeling about this wave, adding: “Last time everyone was terrified, but now they don’t think it’s a big problem.”
And the American news network “NBC News” considered that the recent rise in corona cases “is amazing”, in a country that had imposed some of the harshest anti-virus protocols in the world months ago, but now with the latest mutant of “Omicron”, which is known as XBB, which is responsible for the sharp rise in injuries, the Chinese government’s response is less than its predecessor in any case.
The increase comes about 6 months after Beijing relaxed its handling of COVID-19, including rolling back harsh lockdowns, mass testing, quarantines and the compulsory wearing of masks.
American fears
• In light of the significant increase in Corona injuries in China, the US administration said that it is monitoring the situation in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, before updating travel guidelines.
• The United States imposed a test requirement on travelers arriving from China in January, before lifting it in March.
• The US State Department said it is discussing the second wave of Corona in China with allies and partners, but refused to say whether travel restrictions are under study.
• US State Department Spokesperson Matt Miller added: “We don’t want to see people anywhere suffering from (Covid-19). The United States remains committed to working with China on transnational challenges, including global health issues, and maintaining open lines of communication “.
Corona virus.. an epidemic from the past
Are you raising concerns?
In an interview with “Sky News Arabia”, the clinical drug treatment consultant for infectious diseases in Jordan, Dirar Balawi, said that the current wave of corona hitting China is “expected”, especially after the last wave that occurred in January, and from that time the acquired immunity decreased, whether from the previous infection. or from vaccinations.
Regarding the impact of the current situation and its contribution to raising concerns about the pandemic again, Balawi explained:
• The XBB1.16 mutator is new to China, which has adopted a “zero injury” policy, and therefore they must be infected with all kinds of mutants that have hit the world in the past months.
• According to statistical data, 65 million people could be infected in one week during the month of June, with the peak of that wave at the end of next month, then the curve will reverse downward.
• I do not expect this wave to raise concerns, because according to the testimonies of a number of infected people in China, the symptoms are mild and less severe than previous waves, and there is no current focus on the matter from the health authorities there, and of course there are political and economic reasons behind that, but there is no news about Increasing the number of hospitalized patients.
• This is expected in light of the fact that China is currently adopting a policy of coexistence with the virus that the whole world is following, and this is the correct behavior with the end of the global emergency.
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