With China on Saturday (January 14) releasing data about <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-records-around-60000-deaths-related-to-covid-19-in-one-month-552616">almost 60,000 Covid-related deaths in one month</a> (between December 8, 2022, and January 12 this year), the World Health Organisation (WHO) urged Beijing to share more information about the virus. According to a statement issued on Saturday, WHO's director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus with China's health minister Ma Xiaowei about the pandemic situation in the country. "Chinese officials provided information to WHO and in a press conference on a range of topics, including outpatient clinics, hospitalizations, patients requiring emergency treatment and critical care, and hospital deaths related to Covid-19 infection," the statement said.

"WHO is analysing this information (the Covid-related deaths), which covers early December 2022 to 12 January 2023, and allows for a better understanding of the epidemiological situation and the impact of this wave in China," the statement added.

The WHO requested Beijing that such type of information continued to be shared with it and the public. The United Nations health agency said it will continue to work with China &nbsp;providing technical advice and support, and engaging on analysing the situation." On the call (with China's NHC director Ma Xiaowei), Tedros also reiterated the importance of China’s deeper cooperation and transparency on understanding the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, and in carrying out the recommendations detailed in the report of the Strategic Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens," Saturday's statement added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/about-900-million-in-china-infected-with-covid-chinese-university-study-552374">About 900 million in China infected with Covid: Chinese university study</a>

On Saturday, an official from China's National Health Commission said that 59,938 patients died due to Covid between December 8, 2022, and January 12 this year, the first major toll released&nbsp;after the government scrapped the zero-Covid policy. Before Saturday's announcement, only a few dozen virus-related deaths were reported by authorities, despite crematoriums and hospitals across China being full to the brim. The Chinese government has faced global backlash for underreporting deaths due to the virus.&nbsp;

A report by news agency AFP on Saturday said that this figure referred to deaths only recorded at medical facilities and the total toll is likely to be higher. Jiao Yahui, head of the bureau of medical administration under the NHC told reporters that these 59,938 deaths included 5,503 deaths caused by respiratory failure directly due to Covid and &nbsp;54,435 deaths caused by underlying diseases combined with the virus. Of the patients who died, 90.1% were aged 65 and older.

In December last year, China narrowed the definition of Covid deaths by saying only those patients who directly died of respiratory failure caused by the virus would be counted under Covid death statistics. The WHO criticised the criteria and said the definition was too narrow.

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With China on Saturday (January 14) releasing data about almost 60,000 Covid-related deaths in one month (between December 8, 2022, and January 12 this year), the World Health Organisation (WHO) urged Beijing to share more information about the virus.

With China on Saturday (January 14) releasing data about almost 60,000 Covid-related deaths in one month (between December 8, 2022, and January 12 this year), the World Health Organisation (WHO) urged Beijing to share more information about the virus. According to a statement issued on Saturday, WHO's director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus with China's health minister Ma Xiaowei about the pandemic situation in the country. "Chinese officials provided information to WHO and in a press conference on a range of topics, including outpatient clinics, hospitalizations, patients requiring emergency treatment and critical care, and hospital deaths related to Covid-19 infection," the statement said. "WHO is analysing this information (the Covid-related deaths), which covers early December 2022 to 12 January 2023, and allows for a better understanding of the epidemiological situation and the impact of this wave in China," the statement added. The WHO requested Beijing that such type of information continued to be shared with it and the public. The United Nations health agency said it will continue to work with China providing technical advice and support, and engaging on analysing the situation." On the call (with China's NHC director Ma Xiaowei), Tedros also reiterated the importance of China’s deeper cooperation and transparency on understanding the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, and in carrying out the recommendations detailed in the report of the Strategic Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens," Saturday's statement added. ALSO READ | About 900 million in China infected with Covid: Chinese university study On Saturday, an official from China's National Health Commission said that 59,938 patients died due to Covid between December 8, 2022, and January 12 this year, the first major toll released after the government scrapped the zero-Covid policy. Before Saturday's announcement, only a few dozen virus-related deaths were reported by authorities, despite crematoriums and hospitals across China being full to the brim. The Chinese government has faced global backlash for underreporting deaths due to the virus. A report by news agency AFP on Saturday said that this figure referred to deaths only recorded at medical facilities and the total toll is likely to be higher. Jiao Yahui, head of the bureau of medical administration under the NHC told reporters that these 59,938 deaths included 5,503 deaths caused by respiratory failure directly due to Covid and 54,435 deaths caused by underlying diseases combined with the virus. Of the patients who died, 90.1% were aged 65 and older. In December last year, China narrowed the definition of Covid deaths by saying only those patients who directly died of respiratory failure caused by the virus would be counted under Covid death statistics. The WHO criticised the criteria and said the definition was too narrow. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WHO urges China to share more Covid info after it reports huge spike in deaths

Chinese National Health Commission’s medical affairs department's director Jiao Yahui said that around 60,000 Covid-related deaths have been recorded in China between December 8 and January 12, releasing the death toll in China for the first time since the government scrapped the strict zero-Covid policy, in a sudden move, last month.&nbsp;Yahui said that 5,503 deaths have occurred in China because of respiratory failure which was triggered by infection of Covid-19.&nbsp;

Furthermore, 54,435 deaths were recorded of people who were suffering from Covid-19 but had underlying health issues like cardiovascular diseases and cancer, informed the director.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/about-900-million-in-china-infected-with-covid-chinese-university-study-552374">About 900 million in China infected with Covid: Chinese university study</a>

The government's official death count will include only deaths that have occurred without any underlying issues because of China's new and narrow definition of Covid-19 related deaths, which was adopted earlier.&nbsp;

The National Health Commission stated the record is about the deaths that took place in hospitals, which further opens the chances of more people dying due to Covid-19 in their homes.&nbsp;

According to the data reflected in the report, China's official death toll of Covid-19, which stood at 5,272 on January 8, would double to 10,775.&nbsp;

As per the report of South China Morning Post, the average age of Covid-19 fatalities was 80.3, and among those, 90% were aged 65 or above.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Wuhan Virus: Shocking videos emerge from China

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The report comes amid questions being raised over China's lack of transparency in the wake of the current Covid-19 outbreak as reports emerged of funeral homes and hospitals being overwhelmed across the country.&nbsp;

Restrictions have been imposed by various countries on people travelling from China as appeals have been made that the government share more data with other countries across the world.&nbsp;

However, the foreign ministry of China stated that the countries should also pressurise the United States to share its data about the spread of the XBB.1.5 subvariant.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Chinese National Health Commission’s medical affairs department's director Jiao Yahui said that around 60,000 Covid-related deaths have been recorded in China between December 8 and January 12, releasing the death toll in China for the first time since the government scrapped the strict zero-Covid policy, in a sudden move, last month.

Chinese National Health Commission’s medical affairs department's director Jiao Yahui said that around 60,000 Covid-related deaths have been recorded in China between December 8 and January 12, releasing the death toll in China for the first time since the government scrapped the strict zero-Covid policy, in a sudden move, last month. Yahui said that 5,503 deaths have occurred in China because of respiratory failure which was triggered by infection of Covid-19. Furthermore, 54,435 deaths were recorded of people who were suffering from Covid-19 but had underlying health issues like cardiovascular diseases and cancer, informed the director. ALSO READ | About 900 million in China infected with Covid: Chinese university study The government's official death count will include only deaths that have occurred without any underlying issues because of China's new and narrow definition of Covid-19 related deaths, which was adopted earlier. The National Health Commission stated the record is about the deaths that took place in hospitals, which further opens the chances of more people dying due to Covid-19 in their homes. According to the data reflected in the report, China's official death toll of Covid-19, which stood at 5,272 on January 8, would double to 10,775. As per the report of South China Morning Post, the average age of Covid-19 fatalities was 80.3, and among those, 90% were aged 65 or above. WATCH | Gravitas: Wuhan Virus: Shocking videos emerge from China The report comes amid questions being raised over China's lack of transparency in the wake of the current Covid-19 outbreak as reports emerged of funeral homes and hospitals being overwhelmed across the country. Restrictions have been imposed by various countries on people travelling from China as appeals have been made that the government share more data with other countries across the world. However, the foreign ministry of China stated that the countries should also pressurise the United States to share its data about the spread of the XBB.1.5 subvariant. (With inputs from agencies)

China records around 60,000 deaths related to Covid-19 in one month: Official

The World Health Organisation said on Wednesday that while China was now making more data on COVID-19 readily available, it is still heavily underreporting deaths caused by the disease. The world body believes that the numbers being shared are not showing the true impact of its current surge in cases.&nbsp;"WHO still believes that deaths are heavily underreported from China," its emergencies director Michael Ryan told reporters.

China has been reporting five or fewer deaths a day over the past month, but the numbers being reported are inconsistent with the long queues seen at funeral homes. The country did not report COVID fatalities data on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Ryan blamed the parameter being used by China to define a COVID death for the lack of data. He also said that there is a "need for doctors in the public health system to be encouraged to report these cases, and not discouraged."

"We still do not have adequate information to make a full comprehensive risk assessment."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-spike-in-china-pharma-firm-running-247-to-meet-demand-for-medicines-551503">Covid spike in China: Pharma firms running 24/7 to meet demand for medicines</a>

Experts have predicted at least one million COVID-related deaths this year in China, but the country has reported just over 5,000 since the pandemic began. This is a lot less than what other countries have reported as they removed restrictions.

He compared China's stance with that of US and said that the latter had been a lot more transparent when it came to the new Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.5.

"There's been radical transparency on behalf of the United States in terms of engaging with the WHO regarding the data and the impact of that data," he said.

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Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's technical lead on Covid, said Washington had supplied virtually all the data available so far on XBB.1.5, the most transmissible form of Covid so far.

China dropped virtually every COVID-19 curb in the country a few weeks back, unleashing a wave of infections that have packed hospitals. It also lifted travel restrictions for overseas passengers, leading several countries to impose restrictions on travellers coming from China following which a ruffled&nbsp;Beijing warned of counter-measures alleging "discrimination" and went on to impose visa curbs on South Korean and Japanese passengers.

Ryan said that in the absence of concrete data from China, he understands the concerns of some countries.

"In the absence of data, countries have made a decision to take a precautionary approach and (WHO has) said that that is understandable in the circumstances," Ryan said.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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The World Health Organisation said on Wednesday that while China was now making more data on COVID-19 readily available, it is still heavily underreporting deaths caused by the disease.

The World Health Organisation said on Wednesday that while China was now making more data on COVID-19 readily available, it is still heavily underreporting deaths caused by the disease. The world body believes that the numbers being shared are not showing the true impact of its current surge in cases. "WHO still believes that deaths are heavily underreported from China," its emergencies director Michael Ryan told reporters. China has been reporting five or fewer deaths a day over the past month, but the numbers being reported are inconsistent with the long queues seen at funeral homes. The country did not report COVID fatalities data on Tuesday and Wednesday. Ryan blamed the parameter being used by China to define a COVID death for the lack of data. He also said that there is a "need for doctors in the public health system to be encouraged to report these cases, and not discouraged." "We still do not have adequate information to make a full comprehensive risk assessment." Also Read | Covid spike in China: Pharma firms running 24/7 to meet demand for medicines Experts have predicted at least one million COVID-related deaths this year in China, but the country has reported just over 5,000 since the pandemic began. This is a lot less than what other countries have reported as they removed restrictions. He compared China's stance with that of US and said that the latter had been a lot more transparent when it came to the new Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.5. "There's been radical transparency on behalf of the United States in terms of engaging with the WHO regarding the data and the impact of that data," he said. × Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's technical lead on Covid, said Washington had supplied virtually all the data available so far on XBB.1.5, the most transmissible form of Covid so far. China dropped virtually every COVID-19 curb in the country a few weeks back, unleashing a wave of infections that have packed hospitals. It also lifted travel restrictions for overseas passengers, leading several countries to impose restrictions on travellers coming from China following which a ruffled Beijing warned of counter-measures alleging "discrimination" and went on to impose visa curbs on South Korean and Japanese passengers. Ryan said that in the absence of concrete data from China, he understands the concerns of some countries. "In the absence of data, countries have made a decision to take a precautionary approach and (WHO has) said that that is understandable in the circumstances," Ryan said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China ‘heavily underreporting’ COVID deaths, lack info for proper risk assessment, says WHO

The sudden increase in the death of public figures and celebrities across China has raised doubts over the country's actual death toll due to coronavirus as reported by the authorities.&nbsp;Actor Gong Jintang's death is being mourned by many people on Chinese social media after he left for his heavenly abode on New Year's Day at the age of 83. He was popular among the masses for playing the role of Father Kang in the Chinese sitcom Kang’s Family, which was first aired in the year 2000. &nbsp;

Gong's death was reported by local media, however, the cause of death remained unclear.&nbsp;

ALSO READ| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-warns-of-countermeasures-over-countries-seeking-negative-covid-test-from-flyers-549091">China warns of 'counter-measures' against countries seeking negative Covid test from flyers &nbsp;</a>

“I’m so upset. (Gong) represents our memory for two generations,” said a user on Weibo, the microblogging platform in China.&nbsp;

Fans of Beijing opera were left shocked by 40-year-old Chu Lanlan's sudden death last month, who had performed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Beijing Opera Arts College released an obituary which stated that Chu died due to an illness.&nbsp;

Her family expressed their grief over her death, however, but it did not elaborate on the reason for her death, reported local media.&nbsp;

Last month, China removed its zero-Covid restrictions which lead to a sudden increase in Covid cases, as crematoriums and hospitals remained overwhelmed.&nbsp;

The publishing of daily data related to Covid by China’s National Health Commission was stopped from late December. Earlier this week, China received criticism from the World Health Organisation for its “very narrow” definition of Covid deaths and the government was warned that official statistics did not reflect the outbreak's true impact.&nbsp;

Since December, China has officially recorded 22 deaths from Covid after strictly narrowing the criteria for classifying such deaths, hence, failing to reflect the reality.&nbsp;

The sudden deaths of celebrities like Chu and Gong have forced many people to question the official Covid data of China.&nbsp;

WATCH| Gravitas: W.H.O. pulls up China for undercounting Wuhan virus deaths

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Using the hashtag "the first Covid wave did not cause a massive amount of deaths" on Weibo, which referred to a Chinese health official's December quote, many internet users in China angrily questioned the death toll. By Friday afternoon, the hashtag had received more than 220 million views.&nbsp;

“Whether it is academicians or celebrities … or my relatives and friends in close contact, I really feel many people have died, but experts keep saying that was not the case,” one user said.

“I beg those adults who can’t see the ants on the ground to see how many people have passed away due to Covid. Just how many people who have great contributions to the country have died? And these were all celebrities," commented another user.&nbsp;

Award-winning film director Wang Jingguang, who is famous for his movie Never Come Back, also died suddenly last month aged 54.

“Many public figures have died, with many of them passing at a young age,” stated Haishang Yilanghua, a Weibo influencer who has 364,000 followers, last month. “These deaths were made public, but there were still many other ordinary people who suffered and died but that was not posted online," he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The sudden increase in the death of public figures and celebrities across China has raised doubts over the country's actual death toll due to coronavirus as reported by the authorities.

The sudden increase in the death of public figures and celebrities across China has raised doubts over the country's actual death toll due to coronavirus as reported by the authorities. Actor Gong Jintang's death is being mourned by many people on Chinese social media after he left for his heavenly abode on New Year's Day at the age of 83. He was popular among the masses for playing the role of Father Kang in the Chinese sitcom Kang’s Family, which was first aired in the year 2000. Gong's death was reported by local media, however, the cause of death remained unclear. ALSO READ| China warns of 'counter-measures' against countries seeking negative Covid test from flyers “I’m so upset. (Gong) represents our memory for two generations,” said a user on Weibo, the microblogging platform in China. Fans of Beijing opera were left shocked by 40-year-old Chu Lanlan's sudden death last month, who had performed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Beijing Opera Arts College released an obituary which stated that Chu died due to an illness. Her family expressed their grief over her death, however, but it did not elaborate on the reason for her death, reported local media. Last month, China removed its zero-Covid restrictions which lead to a sudden increase in Covid cases, as crematoriums and hospitals remained overwhelmed. The publishing of daily data related to Covid by China’s National Health Commission was stopped from late December. Earlier this week, China received criticism from the World Health Organisation for its “very narrow” definition of Covid deaths and the government was warned that official statistics did not reflect the outbreak's true impact. Since December, China has officially recorded 22 deaths from Covid after strictly narrowing the criteria for classifying such deaths, hence, failing to reflect the reality. The sudden deaths of celebrities like Chu and Gong have forced many people to question the official Covid data of China. WATCH| Gravitas: W.H.O. pulls up China for undercounting Wuhan virus deaths Using the hashtag "the first Covid wave did not cause a massive amount of deaths" on Weibo, which referred to a Chinese health official's December quote, many internet users in China angrily questioned the death toll. By Friday afternoon, the hashtag had received more than 220 million views. “Whether it is academicians or celebrities … or my relatives and friends in close contact, I really feel many people have died, but experts keep saying that was not the case,” one user said. “I beg those adults who can’t see the ants on the ground to see how many people have passed away due to Covid. Just how many people who have great contributions to the country have died? And these were all celebrities," commented another user. Award-winning film director Wang Jingguang, who is famous for his movie Never Come Back, also died suddenly last month aged 54. “Many public figures have died, with many of them passing at a young age,” stated Haishang Yilanghua, a Weibo influencer who has 364,000 followers, last month. “These deaths were made public, but there were still many other ordinary people who suffered and died but that was not posted online," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Spate of celebrity deaths in China further raises doubts over low official Covid toll

Benjamin Cowling, an epidemiologist with the Hong Kong University said, the prediction by international disease experts of at least 1 million COVID-related deaths in China this year is 'quite possible', adding that the deaths could have been avoided should there be better preparation.

Expert says around one million deaths 'quite possible' in China due to Covid

Even as China opens up amidst a surge in Covid cases in the country, with no clear data coming out, the country is likely registering 9,000 deaths a day, UK-based health experts estimate. This is double of what it had estimated last week. Meanwhile, the US is considering sampling wastewater taken from international aircraft to track any emerging new Covid-19 variants.

Ever since China loosened restrictions, the country is registering a massive increase in cases. Cumulative deaths in China since December 1 likely reached 100,000, while infections totalled 18.6 million, UK-based health data firm Airfinity said in a statement on Thursday.&nbsp;

Airfinity further estimates that China’s Covid infections will reach their first peak on January 13 when 3.7 million cases will be registered in a day.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beijing-slams-covid-curbs-on-chinese-travellers-as-discriminatory-547901">Beijing slams Covid curbs on Chinese travellers as 'discriminatory'</a>

The body estimates the daily death toll to peak on January 23 with about 25,000 cases a day, with cumulative deaths reaching 584,000 since December.

All these estimates are in stark contrast to what China has been reporting. Beijing has been reporting only several thousands of cases a day, while it has reported only 10 deaths since December 7.

World Health Organization chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has asked China to be more forthcoming with detailed data on the pandemic situation in the country.

“In the absence of comprehensive information from China, it is understandable that countries around the world are acting in ways that they believe may protect their populations,” Tedros wrote.

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Meanwhile, China insists the data it publishes on Covid-19 deaths has always been transparent. Beijing's release of all virus information was done "in the spirit of openness", a top health chief said at a press briefing held by China's State Council, Xinhua reported late Thursday.

"China has always been publishing information on Covid-19 deaths and severe cases in the spirit of openness and transparency," said Jiao Yahui from the National Health Commission (NHC) told reporters on Thursday.

Jiao said that people who died of respiratory failure induced by the virus after testing positive with a nucleic acid test are the only deaths counted as owing to Covid-19, contrary to other countries that include all deaths within 28 days of positive tests.

"China has always been committed to the scientific criteria for judging Covid-19 deaths, from beginning to end, which are in line with the international criteria," Jiao said.

The country's official figures are extremely tiny compared with other countries. Reports suggest that the hospitals are overwhelmed with patients and the situation is dire.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Even as China opens up amidst a surge in Covid cases in the country, with no clear data coming out, the country is likely registering 9,000 deaths a day, UK-based health experts estimate.

Even as China opens up amidst a surge in Covid cases in the country, with no clear data coming out, the country is likely registering 9,000 deaths a day, UK-based health experts estimate. This is double of what it had estimated last week. Meanwhile, the US is considering sampling wastewater taken from international aircraft to track any emerging new Covid-19 variants. Ever since China loosened restrictions, the country is registering a massive increase in cases. Cumulative deaths in China since December 1 likely reached 100,000, while infections totalled 18.6 million, UK-based health data firm Airfinity said in a statement on Thursday. Airfinity further estimates that China’s Covid infections will reach their first peak on January 13 when 3.7 million cases will be registered in a day. Also Read | Beijing slams Covid curbs on Chinese travellers as 'discriminatory' The body estimates the daily death toll to peak on January 23 with about 25,000 cases a day, with cumulative deaths reaching 584,000 since December. All these estimates are in stark contrast to what China has been reporting. Beijing has been reporting only several thousands of cases a day, while it has reported only 10 deaths since December 7. World Health Organization chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has asked China to be more forthcoming with detailed data on the pandemic situation in the country. “In the absence of comprehensive information from China, it is understandable that countries around the world are acting in ways that they believe may protect their populations,” Tedros wrote. × Meanwhile, China insists the data it publishes on Covid-19 deaths has always been transparent. Beijing's release of all virus information was done "in the spirit of openness", a top health chief said at a press briefing held by China's State Council, Xinhua reported late Thursday. "China has always been publishing information on Covid-19 deaths and severe cases in the spirit of openness and transparency," said Jiao Yahui from the National Health Commission (NHC) told reporters on Thursday. Jiao said that people who died of respiratory failure induced by the virus after testing positive with a nucleic acid test are the only deaths counted as owing to Covid-19, contrary to other countries that include all deaths within 28 days of positive tests. "China has always been committed to the scientific criteria for judging Covid-19 deaths, from beginning to end, which are in line with the international criteria," Jiao said. The country's official figures are extremely tiny compared with other countries. Reports suggest that the hospitals are overwhelmed with patients and the situation is dire. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China will see 25K deaths a day during Covid peak in Jan, UK health firm says