By The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns about China’s reporting of the true impact of the Covid-19 pandemic within its borders, specifically regarding the accurate number of deaths attributed to the virus.
Critique of China’s Covid Reporting
Michael Ryan, Executive Director of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, stated that China’s data “under-represents the true impact” of Covid-19, particularly in terms of hospital admissions, ICU admissions, and deaths. He criticized China’s narrow definition of a Covid death, which only includes those who die of respiratory illnesses.
Changes in Reporting Criteria
China ceased publishing daily tallies for Covid-19 cases and deaths amid the ongoing outbreak. Additionally, in December 2022, the country revised its criteria for classifying a Covid death, limiting it to individuals who succumb to respiratory illnesses.
WHO’s Call for Comprehensive Data
Ryan mentioned an increase in China’s engagement with the WHO and expressed anticipation for more comprehensive data. He encouraged healthcare professionals to report deaths and cases independently, emphasizing an open approach to accurately recording the disease’s impact.
Estimations and Concerns
Airfinity, a UK science data company, estimated over two million daily Covid cases in China, along with approximately 14,700 deaths. Despite lifting parts of its “zero-Covid” strategy, China has faced challenges with overwhelmed hospitals and crematoriums.
Travel Restrictions and Variant Detection
Several countries, including India, have imposed travel restrictions on individuals arriving from China, prompting criticism and threats of retaliation from Beijing. Although no new Covid variants have been identified in China, the WHO cautioned that reduced testing might contribute to this lack of detection.
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