Is the Chinese government losing control over COVID-19 management as the number of cases in China rises? Epidemiologists expect that at least three waves of the virus will strike the United States this winter.
According to the local media reports, the Chinese government was “under-prepared” when it unexpectedly ended its zero-COVID policy in response to nationwide demonstrations. The Chinese government has stayed silent on the number of the dead thus far.
However, Chinese authorities have warned of more waves of COVID infections in the coming months, since cases have continued to rise since restrictions were lifted earlier this month.
Media reports cites that Wu Zunyou, head epidemiologist of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, warned in a speech that “the present outbreak will climax this winter and run in three waves for around three months.”
As per Wu’s claims “First wave would be available from now until mid-January. A second wave would very certainly follow shortly after, prompted by hundreds of millions of people travelling across the country for the Lunar New Year, which begins on 21 January.”
According to the news article, he predicts that China will experience a “third wave” from late February to mid-March once people return to work following the holidays. The wave is likely to be prompted by individuals travelling to their hometowns to celebrate the Lunar New Year holiday, which falls on January 21.
Notably, work in Chinese hospitals has slowed as they confront two problems: running out of beds due to a big number of patients and health authorities being infected, according to The Hong Kong Post, citing western media sources. Meanwhile, pharmacies are running out of supplies due to increased demand, with little chance of replenishing.
