The country’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had reported 164 deaths in May, and none in April and March.
China began implementing its “zero COVID” containment protocol in early 2020, and maintains that strict lockdowns, quarantines, border closures, and mandatory mass virus arrest testing have saved many lives.
But the measures were lifted suddenly in December, with little preparation, which led to a final wave that left some 60,000 dead, according to official figures. This year, deaths spiked in January and February, peaking at 4,273 on January 4, but then gradually decreased to zero on February 23, according to the Center.
Chinese health authorities did not say whether they expect the trend to continue or recommend a return to the restrictions.
Two of the June deaths were caused by respiratory failure caused by infections, while the other victims had underlying conditions, the CDC said. Those preconditions may include diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or other chronic illnesses.
Between January 3, 2020 and July 5, 2023, China reported 99,292,081 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 121,490 deaths to the World Health Organization.
Experts estimate that the pandemic may have claimed several hundred thousand lives, or perhaps more, in China, a much higher number than the official figure, but low compared to the death rate in the United States and Europe.
FUENTE: Associated Press
