More than 60 000 Covid-related deaths have been reported in China in just over a month, the first statistics and death toll released since the country stopped its zero-Covid policy show.
Despite numerous recent reports of hospitals and crematoriums being over-run, China has been widely accused of under-reporting coronavirus deaths. However, according to the BBC, the country recorded 59 938 Covid-related deaths between 8 December and 12 January.
Most were people over 80, with underlying conditions.
The figures include 5 503 deaths caused by respiratory failure directly due to the virus, and 54 435 caused by underlying conditions combined with the virus. The real total is likely to be higher because the figures refer only to deaths recorded at medical facilities.
Last month, Beijing changed the way it categorises Covid deaths, only counting towards its total those who had died of respiratory failure directly induced by the virus.
But the World Health Organisation criticised the definition, describing it as “too narrow”.
BBC article – China coronavirus: 60,000 Covid-related deaths in just over a month
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