In metropolises such as Beijing, Guangzhou or Shijiazhuang, hospitals experienced “the first shock of a gigantic wave of infections and a shortage of health workers,” the renowned business magazine “Caixin” wrote on Monday. Clinics are overcrowded. There are often snakes. Patients infect doctors and healthcare workers. The magazine wrote about “Covid chaos”.
In a radical turnaround last Wednesday, the government largely scrapped its rigorous zero-Covid strategy. Lockdowns have been lifted, the strict obligation to test, forced quarantine or isolation of contacts has largely been relaxed. But even before that, there were signs that the number of infected people was increasing and that the testing and tracking of the infections could no longer keep up.
Cold and fever medication and rapid tests are sold out in many pharmacies. Many shops and restaurants are closed. People do not dare to go outside for fear of contamination. The streets of the capital Beijing looked empty on Monday. After repeated warnings about Omikron in recent months, the state media downplayed the danger posed by the virus and likened the infection to a common flu.
According to the party-affiliated newspaper Global Times, leading epidemiologists said the wave of infections would peak within a month. Since there is no more testing and probably hardly any reports, the official case numbers no longer reflect what is going on. Absenteeism in companies rose. “I know of 25 positive cases or sick people in my area alone,” said a resident of Beijing. Another estimated that a third of his acquaintances were ill. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
