Now Beijing is downplaying its COVID-19 crisis right ahead of its key meet with the WHO. Later in the day, Chinese scientists are expected to give a briefing to the World Health Organization on the evolution of the virus.
An article has been published in the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party People's Daily. The article said article has quotes from several experts saying that the illness caused by the COVID-19 virus is relatively mild for most people.
One such statement was from the vice president of the prominent Beijing Hospital. He said that severe and critical illnesses account for about three to 4% of infected patients currently admitted to designated COVID hospitals in the capital.
Another expert from the Sichuan University said that in the past three weeks, a total of 46 critically ill patients have been admitted to intensive care units and as of the numbers, account for about 1% of symptomatic infections known that earlier officials in Sichuan Province said that more than 80% of the population has been infected with covered the expert statements are in stark contrast to what emerged from the ground for the last few weeks, videos, pictures and testaments of China's covid crisis have gone viral.
The health care in major cities has been overwhelmed with the spike in cases. There have been reports of long lines outside crematoriums and funeral homes. A few days ago, Beijing even announced that it will be not publishing real time covid data, sparking concerns across the globe.
During the last meeting between the WHO and Chinese officials, the World Health body invited Beijing scientists to present detailed data on viral sequencing. At today's meeting, the World Health Organization, along with countries all over, called on China to share its real time covid data so that new nations can plan a response if a spike knocks on their doors.
