"Highly Transmissible and Fatal Variant Expected from China... Is Another COVID-19 Pandemic Coming?"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] As China lifts its COVID-19 lockdown, concerns are rising that a highly transmissible and deadly variant virus could emerge amid the surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases.

On the 21st, travelers wearing protective gear are walking at Shanghai Train Station in China. [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

On the 22nd (local time), Bloomberg reported, "China's COVID tsunami could lead to the emergence of a dangerous variant virus that may spread worldwide."

While other countries have fought COVID infections and administered powerful messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines, China has avoided this. As a result, it is analyzed that the Chinese population, which has the lowest immunity, is now exposed to the most transmissible virus, although it has not yet become widespread.

However, as the Chinese government conceals COVID-related information, the number of infections and deaths in China remains shrouded in mystery. U.S. medical experts and politicians have raised concerns that variant viruses could trigger another COVID pandemic.

Daniel Lucey, a professor at Dartmouth College in the U.S., predicted, "Within days, weeks, or months, Omicron subvariants will appear in China," adding, "They could be more transmissible and deadly, and may neutralize drugs, vaccines, and even COVID diagnostics."

This could lead to a recurrence of the situation seen in late 2020 in India, where the Delta variant emerged without vaccination and infected millions in a short period. Professor Lucey emphasized, "The world must prepare to ensure vaccines, treatments, and other necessary measures can be implemented."

The World Health Organization (WHO) also expressed concern about the emergence of COVID variant viruses and urged Chinese health authorities to disclose reliable information related to COVID.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "We are very concerned about the current increase in severe COVID cases in China," adding, "Some scientists believe that unchecked COVID spread could encourage the emergence of new variant viruses." He stressed, "Detailed information on disease severity, bed availability, and intensive care unit (ICU) support needs is necessary to comprehensively assess the current risk."

Since the Chinese government shifted its quarantine policy from 'Zero COVID' to 'With COVID' earlier this month, confirmed COVID cases have surged. However, the death statistics announced by Chinese authorities after easing restrictions show only seven deaths over fifteen days. Unless the cause of death is pneumonia or respiratory failure, deaths are not counted as COVID-related even if infected. Meanwhile, crematorium demand has reportedly increased more than fivefold compared to usual, indicating that the actual number of deaths is much higher.