China’s top health body says it will no longer publish daily Covid infection numbers
China covid
China's National Health Commission will no longer be publishing daily data on COVID-19 case figures for the country.The health agency, which as per Reuters has been publishing the numbers for the past three years, has said that starting Sunday, it won't release such data. However, the agency did not disclose the reasons behind this decision. It is also not known how frequently China will now update Covid information.
"Relevant COVID information will be published by the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention for reference and research," said the NHC in a statement.
Watch |China: Covid-19 cases explode; Beijing underplaying health emergency
This comes as China faces a sudden surge in Covid numbers following the easing of its stringent zero-Covid restrictions, and dropping of mandatory testing requirements and travel restrictions.
Bloomberg reported on Friday that up to 37 million individuals may have contracted the deadly illness on a single day this past week, citing statistics from China's top health regulator.
As per a Reuters report, on Saturday, the country's national health authority reported 4,128 symptomatic cases. Additionally, for the fourth consecutive day, no new deaths were reported.
)
Iranian leader says Ukraine now a ‘legitimate target’ over alleged drone support for Israel
)
Indian Navy warships deployed near Persian Gulf, on standby to assist merchant vessels: Report
)
India is unlikely to be part of any multinational coalition on Strait of Hormuz
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT Releases (March 13, 2026): The Taj Story, Aspirants S3, That Night- Watch 7 new movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
'As a sincere friend...': China responds after Trump urges countries to send warships to secure Strait of Hormuz
)
Explained: India's desi-GPS NAVIC is defunct; strategic capability lost
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
FACT CHECK: Benjamin Netanyahu assassinated in Iranian strike? Truth behind massive claim
)
Dubai police warn of SIM swap scam as fraudsters target citizens posing as ‘Crisis Officials’ amid conflict
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Weapon will be used immediately...’: North Korea sends BIG message to US amid West Asia war, conducts drills with 600mm rocket launchers
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'The shield of the fleet': How the USS Spruance is protecting the USS Abraham Lincoln from Iranian drones
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'The PM is...': Netanyahu’s office debunks 'fake news' over his whereabouts
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How long does a 14.2 kg LPG cylinder last in an Indian household?
However, this is after authorities narrowed the criteria for Covid deaths, a decision that has invited criticism from many disease experts.
On Thursday, Zhang Wenhong, director of the National Centre for Infectious Diseases as per a report in state-backed news outlet The Paper said that China "is expected to reach the peak of infections within a week."
He cautioned that this will also "increase the rate of severe disease, which will have a certain impact on our entire medical resources."
Wenhong added that the wave will last another one or two months after that and that "We must be mentally prepared that infection is inevitable."
Other experts too have warned that China will be hit with "waves" of infection. As per the estimates of one Chinese expert, this winter will see three consecutive waves of infections.
(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.
