China stops releasing daily COVID case numbers amid virus surge

China’s health authorities said Sunday they have stopped releasing daily COVID-19 case numbers amid criticism that official data have not reflected the reality of the rapid spread of the virus since the government significantly relaxed its strict anti-virus measures earlier this month.

The National Health Commission did not provide reasons for the move, only saying the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention will instead release COVID-related information for study and reference.

Since China on Dec. 7 drastically eased its “zero-COVID” policy involving lockdowns, it has stopped requiring people to take frequent PCR tests and releasing data on asymptomatic cases.

As of Friday, China had confirmed about 4,100 new infections and the official death count stood at seven in the week from Dec. 16. However, daily cases in the country are estimated to have hit at least 1 million based on figures released by some regional authorities.

People who died as chronic illnesses deteriorated following coronavirus infection may not be included in China’s official death count based on a government notice, according to local media reports.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES