China: A top official stated that the third-most populated province in China currently has nearly 90 percent of its residents infected with COVID-19 as the nation confronts an unprecedented rise in cases.

Director of the central Henan province’s health commission Mr. Kan Quancheng announced at a press conference that “as of January 6, 2023, the province’s COVID infection rate is 89.0 percent.” The data shows that out of Henan’s 99.4 million people, 88.5 million may now be sick.

Fever clinic visits peaked on 19th December, as per Mr. Kan, “after which it showed a continuous downward trend.” China is now dealing with an increase in cases following its decision last month to lift years of lockdowns, quarantines, and mass testing that had crushed its economy and triggered infrequent nationwide protests.

Beijing, which is adamant about moving forward with its reopening, lifted the quarantine requirement for all foreign visitors on 8th January and opened its border with Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous southern metropolis.

However, as the nation celebrates Lunar New Year later this month and millions are anticipated to travel from big cities to visit vulnerable older relatives in the countryside, diseases are predicted to surge. According to the state media, 34.7 million people travelled domestically on Saturday in the first round of pre-holiday travel, rising more than a third from the previous year.

As per the statement, Just 120,000 individuals have been infected and 30 have died since China loosened COVID limits in early December. Beijing’s definition of COVID deaths was narrowed last month, and mass testing is no longer required, thus their data no longer accurately reflects the scope of the outbreak.

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