The World Health Organization on Friday urged China’s health officials to regularly share ‘concrete and real-time’ information on the epidemic situation. covid-19 situation in the country as it continues to assess the latest increase in infections, according to Reuters news agency.
It has asked Chinese health officials to disclose more data on gene sequences, as well as data on hospitalizations, deaths and vaccinations.
Previously, the WHO had predicted that China might be struggling to control the number of Covid-19 infections. However, official figures from China have become unreliable guides as fewer tests are being carried out across the country.
The agency has also invited Chinese scientists to present detailed data on virus sequences at a technical advisory group meeting scheduled for January 3, Reuters reports.
Covid-19 cases in China increased this month after Beijing lifted its COVID-free policies including routine PCR testing of its population. The United States, South Korea, India, Italy, Japan and Taiwan have all imposed Covid testing for travelers from China in response.
The US also attributes the recent change in its policy to a lack of information about Covid variants and fears that increased cases in China could lead to the development of new variants. of the virus.
Senior Chinese health officials exchanged views with the WHO on the novel coronavirus through a video conference, China’s National Health Commission said in a statement earlier on Friday. Reuters reported.
The Chinese health authorities said that both sides exchanged views on the current epidemic situation, medical treatment, vaccination and other technical issues, adding that there will be more exchanges. more technical.
Meanwhile, UK-based health experts estimate that China is likely to record 9,000 deaths a day – double last week’s estimate.
As of December 1, the cumulative number of COVID-related deaths in China is likely to reach 100,000, yet the total number of infections is 18.6 million, UK-based medical data company Airfinity said in a statement.
The health company further estimates that China’s COVID-19 infections will first peak on January 13 as 3.7 million cases will be recorded in a single day. Additionally, the daily death toll will peak on January 23 at around 25,000 a day, and the cumulative death toll could reach 584,000, the company warned.
(With Reuters input)
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