Covid-19 appears to be making a comeback in China, with nearly 40,000 cases reported daily across the country.
Published Date – Mon, 11/28/22 at 12:40pm
Covid-19 appears to be making a comeback in China, with nearly 40,000 cases reported daily across the country.
Hyderabad: While the World Health Organization (WHO) claims the coronavirus pandemic is coming to an end, the reality appears to be different as the number of infections in China surges. The disease appears to be making a comeback, with nearly 40,000 cases a day being reported across the country. Ironically, the sharp rise in daily infections comes against the backdrop of public protests against restrictive Covid-19 measures.
Public anger is running high after a deadly fire in Xinjiang killed 10 people. Protesters claim strict Covid restrictions are hampering rescue efforts. Videos that have gone viral show protesters chanting “Communist Party down! Xi Jinping down” and “End the blockade on Xinjiang.” Tens of millions of people in more than 50 towns have been confined to their homes over the past few weeks, causing social unrest.
A key reason for the virus’s spread is the country’s low vaccination rates, with only about half of China’s population aged 80 and over receiving the primary vaccination, and less than 20 percent of them getting the booster dose. Less than 60% of people in the 60-69 age group are fully vaccinated. In addition, experts say the vaccines used in China have a low efficacy rate. The Omicron variant currently circulating in China is more contagious than previous subvariants, which may also explain the sudden surge in the virus despite lockdowns and other strong measures.
The Omicron BF.7 variant, imported from a trading town outside Beijing, is the main strain of the current Covid-19 outbreak. The variant has caused cluster infections in nursing homes, construction sites and schools. The surge in China is a warning to the rest of the world that the pandemic is not over. Countries should not give up on seeking mutation proof Covid vaccines. The international community should also continue to push the most populous country to become more transparent. Some of China’s oppressive measures, especially its zero-coronavirus policy, have been clouded. Private pharmaceutical company Sinovac and state-run Sinopharm, which manufacture most of the vaccines used in China, have yet to release data on final-stage clinical trials in the public domain.
Worryingly for India is the Omicron BF.7 variant, which is behind the current surge in China and was discovered in Kerala state last month, which has spread to the US, UK, Australia and Belgium. Although the number of new cases in the country has dropped dramatically, the pandemic is not over yet. Coinciding with festivals and social gatherings are periodic regional surges. Wearing masks, mandatory vaccinations and social distancing are safe bets. Vulnerable groups require special protection.
