What if I told you nearly 4 million people in our nation were infected with COVID-19?
How would you feel?
Shocked at the number? Afraid for your family? Angry at the government?
Yep, 70% of the population having the virus isn’t a small deal. Luckily, we’re not facing that reality; China is.
A Top Doctor Said Up to 70% of Shanghai Population Might be Infected With COVID-19
In a futile back-and-forth manner, China has debated with the world on the transparency of its COVID-19 report numbers, claiming that all data they put out were 100% true.
Well, now a doctor from the mainland has come out to speak on that.
According to a senior doctor at one of Shanghai’s top hospitals, around 70% of the city may have COVID-19.
In a U-turn of pandemic restrictions, China’s infection numbers have skyrocketed as the situation spiralled out of control.
Now, hospitals, pharmacies, and crematoriums are brimmed with demands for drugs, immediate care, and other services.
Vice-president of Ruijin Hospital and a member of Shanghai’s COVID-19 expert advisory panel Dr Chen Erzhen has estimated that most of Shanghai’s 26 million-strong population may be infected with the virus.
According to him, the epidemic’s spread is now 20 to 30 times more severe than that of earlier months in 2022, like April and May.
Adding on, he said his hospital saw around 1,600 emergency admissions daily, compared to only 800 before the restrictions were lifted.
China Insists It’s Transparent
As China’s barriers retract, those of other nations erect. Many countries now fear for their safety since China’s cesspool of viruses will begin to spill over soon.
Since China announced it would open its borders to the public on 8 January 2023, countries like the US, Japan, and Malaysia have imposed compulsory COVID-19 tests for travellers from China.
While many view this as a standard safety precaution, China thinks otherwise.
Deeming it “unfounded” and “discriminatory,” the state-run newspaper, Global Times, said on Thursday (29 December): “The real intention is to sabotage China’s three years of COVID-19 control efforts and attack the country’s system.”
Since China eased up, a wave of infections has shocked the nation, with cases skyrocketing, so much so that it allegedly underreported the numbers to pacify its people and other countries.
On 29 December, it insisted that its COVID-19 data has always been transparent. According to them, the release of information was done “in the spirit of openness.”
“China has always been publishing information on COVID-19 deaths and severe cases in the spirit of openness and transparency.”
Sure.
Featured Image: Shutterstock (junrong)