China Sees 98% Decrease in COVID-19 Deaths and Severe Cases Compared to Peak

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Kim Hyunjung] The number of COVID-19 deaths and severe cases in China has decreased by 98% compared to the peak in early January. The vaccination rate for the second dose among the elderly population also exceeded 90%, showing clear progress.

According to the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the 8th, the daily number of COVID-19 related deaths occurring in hospitals nationwide was 102 as of the 6th. This represents a 97.6% decrease compared to the highest number recorded on December 4 last month (4,273). On the same day, the number of severe hospitalized patients was 2,000, a 98% reduction from the January peak (5th, 128,000 patients).

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The number of COVID-19 antigen tests also gradually decreased after peaking at 1.89 million on December 19 last year, dropping to 85,000 as of the 4th. However, it increased again to 190,000 on the 6th. The number of positive antigen test results sharply declined from 337,000 cases (positivity rate 21.3%) on December 22 last year to 784 cases (0.4%) on the 6th.

Additionally, the CDC updated and announced specific figures such as the number of visitors to fever clinics in medical institutions nationwide and rural health clinics. The number of visits to fever clinics peaked at 2.867 million on December 23 last year and continuously decreased to 137,000 on the 6th. The number of visits to rural health clinics nationwide also peaked at 922,000 on December 23 last year and dropped to 58,000 on the 6th.

They also stated that they are continuously monitoring for any viral mutations. From September 26 last year to the 6th of this month, a total of 23,217 valid COVID-19 virus sequences were reported, all confirmed as Omicron variants. The main dominant strains were Omicron lineages BA. 5.2.48 (53.0%), BF. 7.14 (24.1%), and BA. 5.2.49 (14.8%).

According to the CDC announcement on the same day, the cumulative number of vaccine doses administered nationwide reached 3.491 billion (including booster shots) as of the 6th. Especially concerning the elderly vaccination rate, as of the end of last year, 96.6% of those aged 60 and above had received the first dose, and 92.2% had received the second dose among the eligible population.