After public protests, the Chinese government dramatically eased many restrictions related to COVID-19 earlier this month. People who test positive do not have to report their results; those with mild symptoms are now allowed to quarantine at home instead of having to report to state quarantine facilities; temporary lockdowns have ended. In at least two areas with populations of over 30 million, health authorities have announced that asymptomatic people can go to work. As that easing has occurred, cases of COVID-19 are spiking quickly. CNN has reported that leaked state documents estimated that about 250 million people caught COVID-19 in first twenty days of December; 37 million people may have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 (which causes COVID-19) on Tuesday alone.
Last week, health authorities said that it was now impossible to track every case in the outbreak, and this is happening as the country has its annual Lunar New Year celebrations. Travel has been severely restricted for years, and many people are expected to return to rural areas for the holiday.
The AFP has reported that several Beijing funeral homes are now operating around the clock, and there is a wait list for crematoriums. There have also been shortages of tests and medications that can treat symptoms like fever.
China's official death toll from COVID-19 was 5,242 as of December 20, 2022. However, officials are also changing how deaths are classified. If a COVID-19 patient has underlying complications, such as heart disease or diabetes, their death won't be noted as COVID-19-related.
Just as the government stuck to their zero-COVID policy without making any changes, they now also appear to be ready to keep things as is - with few restrictions even as cases rise.
Although many people, as much as 90 percent of the adult population in China may be vaccinated for COVID-19, the vaccination rate is thought to be much lower in the elderly population, who are also more vulnerable to death and disability from the virus.
Authorities have increased the number of clinics where people can seek treatment in both urban and rural areas. In some places, testing sites have been converted into clinics for patients. People have also been advised to not go to those clinics unless they are in serious need of assistance.
Sources: Medical Xpress via The Associated Press, CNN