I am in Anqi now, ski resort in Zhejiang. Things are bustling man... Economy is roaring!
Coronavirus 2019-2020 thread (no unsubstantiated rumours!)
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I am in Anqi now, ski resort in Zhejiang. Things are bustling man... Economy is roaring!
broadsword
Brigadier
You are a true patriot and a Han man, dining, skiing, just living life to the fullest.
supercat
Major
The situation of vaccinations in China:
Theoretically, China still has 70-75 million 60 yo and above who need a booster dose. Given the average daily dose, China still needs 60-70 days to give a booster dose to those who are 60 yo and above. The good news is, XBB 1.5, which is resistant to mRNA vaccines (unkown resistance to Chinese vaccines), is unlikely to become epidemic in China in the next 3 months.
Azvudine, China’s first self-developed oral medication for Covid-19, is now being distributed at Shanghai's lower tier hospitals.
A new anti-COVID-19 monoclonal antibody nasal spray demonstrated good efficacy in preliminary studies.
- From 12/12/2022 - 1/3/2023, 30.6 million doses were given.
- From 12/12/2022 - 1/3/2023, the average daily doses given was 1.33 million.
Theoretically, China still has 70-75 million 60 yo and above who need a booster dose. Given the average daily dose, China still needs 60-70 days to give a booster dose to those who are 60 yo and above. The good news is, XBB 1.5, which is resistant to mRNA vaccines (unkown resistance to Chinese vaccines), is unlikely to become epidemic in China in the next 3 months.
Azvudine, China’s first self-developed oral medication for Covid-19, is now being distributed at Shanghai's lower tier hospitals.
A new anti-COVID-19 monoclonal antibody nasal spray demonstrated good efficacy in preliminary studies.
Need to keep US-made XBB.1.5 variant out of China...
U.S. faces new COVID-19 surge, but imposes 'unscientific' China curb
International travelers inside the arrivals hall at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, California, US, June 13, 2022. /CFP
The United States is seeing a new surge of COVID-19 infections caused by the highly contagious Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.5 but it is imposing unscientific curbs on travelers from China as criticized by health experts from around the world.
"Ironically, probably the worst variant that the world is facing right now is actually XBB," said Dr. Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota, in an interview with Reuters last Saturday.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC) said that the XBB.1.5 is rising from about 4 percent to 41 percent of new infections over the month of December, as estimated by its variant tracking model.
The new sub-variant of Omicron was first detected in New York and Connecticut in late October, according to database of the Global Initiative to Share All Influenza Data (GISAID).
China's COVID-19 situation shared with the world
The most predominant virus strain in China is BA.5.2 and BF.7, both of which have already been overtaken by more transmissible sub-variants in Western nations.
Chinese experts say the two sub-variants together accounted for 97.5 percent of all local infections when sharing their genomic data at a virtual meeting with the Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) at World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday.
The XBB 1.5 sub-variant has only been detected recently in imported cases in Shanghai, according to data uploaded to GISAID database two days ago by a Shanghai-based research team.
The research team, comprising of researchers from Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Public Health Center, recently added 369 new sequencing results of COVID-19 that were randomly collected between November 23 and December 22. As of January 3, China has submitted 773 sequences to GISAID database, according to WHO.
Their result, confirmed 30 known sub-variants of Omicron, and no new mutations of COVID-19 have been found. The two sub-variants, BQ.1 and XBB, which are widely prevalent in Europe and the United States, accounted for more than one-third of the samples, among which three cases are of the XBB.1.5.
GISAID said on Monday that the versions of the virus in China "closely resemble" those that have been seen in different parts of the world between July and December.
Testing requirement "not based on science"
A new variant could emerge anywhere in the world as the virus continues to spread, and thus the COVID-19 testing requirements imposed on visitors from China is deemed unscientific by worldwide.
Kerry Bowman, assistant professor at the University of Toronto's Temerty Faculty of Medicine, said after Canada announced measures last weekend that the requirement is "not based on science at this point" as people can test positive long after entering the country.
Experts shrugged at China's prevalent COVID-19 variants even if the variants are introduced to Western nations from China, "border controls will not have much impact on these variants," said Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the UK's University of East Anglia.
U.S. faces new COVID-19 surge, but imposes 'unscientific' China curb
International travelers inside the arrivals hall at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, California, US, June 13, 2022. /CFP
The United States is seeing a new surge of COVID-19 infections caused by the highly contagious Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.5 but it is imposing unscientific curbs on travelers from China as criticized by health experts from around the world.
"Ironically, probably the worst variant that the world is facing right now is actually XBB," said Dr. Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota, in an interview with Reuters last Saturday.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC) said that the XBB.1.5 is rising from about 4 percent to 41 percent of new infections over the month of December, as estimated by its variant tracking model.
The new sub-variant of Omicron was first detected in New York and Connecticut in late October, according to database of the Global Initiative to Share All Influenza Data (GISAID).
China's COVID-19 situation shared with the world
The most predominant virus strain in China is BA.5.2 and BF.7, both of which have already been overtaken by more transmissible sub-variants in Western nations.
Chinese experts say the two sub-variants together accounted for 97.5 percent of all local infections when sharing their genomic data at a virtual meeting with the Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) at World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday.
The XBB 1.5 sub-variant has only been detected recently in imported cases in Shanghai, according to data uploaded to GISAID database two days ago by a Shanghai-based research team.
The research team, comprising of researchers from Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Public Health Center, recently added 369 new sequencing results of COVID-19 that were randomly collected between November 23 and December 22. As of January 3, China has submitted 773 sequences to GISAID database, according to WHO.
Their result, confirmed 30 known sub-variants of Omicron, and no new mutations of COVID-19 have been found. The two sub-variants, BQ.1 and XBB, which are widely prevalent in Europe and the United States, accounted for more than one-third of the samples, among which three cases are of the XBB.1.5.
GISAID said on Monday that the versions of the virus in China "closely resemble" those that have been seen in different parts of the world between July and December.
Testing requirement "not based on science"
A new variant could emerge anywhere in the world as the virus continues to spread, and thus the COVID-19 testing requirements imposed on visitors from China is deemed unscientific by worldwide.
Kerry Bowman, assistant professor at the University of Toronto's Temerty Faculty of Medicine, said after Canada announced measures last weekend that the requirement is "not based on science at this point" as people can test positive long after entering the country.
Experts shrugged at China's prevalent COVID-19 variants even if the variants are introduced to Western nations from China, "border controls will not have much impact on these variants," said Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the UK's University of East Anglia.
The Chinese government recently refined its COVID-19 prevention and control measures. However, there are many misconceptions developing in Australia about what’s going on in China.
Myth 1: China’s COVID-19 situation has been out of control?
The omicron variant is for now the dominant strain around the world. On the basis of scientific assessment of the characteristics of the virus and the pandemic situation, as well as reference to the prevention practices of other countries, the Chinese government decided to gradually adjust its prevention measures in response to the people’s wishes and shifted the focus to preventing severe diseases with targeted measures.
This is a decision made by the Chinese government after careful analysis and deliberation. The process is under control and the current situation has been expected.
As China’s COVID-19 prevention measures are shifting gears, there will inevitably be a process of adaptation, like what other countries around the world have gone through when adjusting their own policies.
China has full capability and confidence in the final victory over COVID-19. Recently, places such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou have seen infections peak and normal life return. Other provinces and cities in China are also expected to return to normal in the short term.
Myth 2: China hides COVID-19 case numbers?
Some people have speculated that China is hiding case numbers. This is nothing but nonsense. After the adjustment of COVID-19 prevention measures, China stopped conducting nucleic acid testing for all residents, which makes it difficult to know accurately what the case number is, as is the case in many countries around the world. The US government stopped releasing COVID-19 case numbers in October 2022.
There are two main criteria for determining death from COVID-19 globally. One is death directly caused by respiratory failure because of infection with COVID-19, the other is death within 28 days of infection. To put it simply, “deaths due to COVID-19” and “deaths with COVID-19″.
China has adopted the first category of death criteria since 2020. In times of pandemic and rapid transmission, it is difficult to tell exactly what the case fatality rate is. However, China has started to collect information through questionnaires and surveys and will continue to disclose information on deaths and severe cases in accordance with the principle of truth, openness and transparency.
Myth 3: China is not ready for adjustment of its COVID-19 prevention measures?
China’s decision to adjust its COVID-19 prevention measures was made in a scientific and prudent manner based on comprehensive consideration of the characteristics of the virus, the pandemic situation, vaccination, medical resource preparation, and prevention and control experiences.
The omicron variant has been less virulent and most cases of infection are mild. China has accumulated rich experiences in the past three years in COVID-19 prevention and control, which provide favorable conditions for its adjustment of the measures. China has more than 10 types of vaccines covering various technical routes and vaccination methods, and more than 3.4 billion doses of vaccines have been administered in total. More than 92 per cent of the total population is covered and more than 90 per cent is fully vaccinated.
Among people aged above 60 and 80, more than 85 per cent and 65 per cent are fully vaccinated respectively. China has the largest production capacity of antipyretic drugs in the world and has taken multiple measures to increase production; its drug supply can fully meet the market demand. Chinese authorities have also been promoting international medical cooperation in line with market principles and have approved the import of COVID-19 treatment drugs produced by Pfizer and other international manufacturers.
Myth 4: China’s vaccine is ineffective?
Chinese vaccines have helped prevent severe illness and death for millions of people around the world. According to a study published by the University of Hong Kong, the effectiveness of an inactivated vaccine in preventing severe cases caused by omicron after vaccination with booster shots was almost the same as that of mRNA vaccine, reaching 97 per cent. A Lancet sub-journal also acknowledged that inactivated vaccines have similar efficacy to mRNA vaccines.
There is scientific consensus that no vaccine in the world can completely prevent COVID-19 infection. Pfizer’s chief executive contracted COVID-19 a second time after getting his fourth mRNA vaccine booster shot. Can we conclude that Pfizer’s vaccine is ineffective because of this? Obviously not.
Myth 5: China’s COVID-19 situation is a drag on economic growth?
China’s announcement to adjust its COVID-19 prevention measures and facilitate international personnel exchanges has been widely welcomed.
Many foreign chambers of commerce in China, including the American Chamber of Commerce in China, the British Chamber of Commerce and the German Chamber of Commerce, as well as some foreign diplomatic institutions in China said the move will help restore personnel exchanges and business travel between China and foreign countries, restore confidence in investment and business, and restore market optimism. China will continue to be a priority destination for foreign investment.
Several international agencies have raised their forecasts for China’s economic growth in 2023, predicting that China will achieve a growth rate of over 5 per cent, much higher than that of the world as a whole and other major economies. It is believed that as the global COVID-19 situation stabilises and the high-quality development measures set by the 20th Communist Party National Congress are put in place, the Chinese economy will enjoy faster growth and make a greater contribution to world economic growth.
We are aware that the Australian government has decided to implement some requirements on inbound travellers from China starting from Thursday. China believes that the prevention and control measures adopted by one country should be scientific and proportionate, not target certain other countries, and should not affect normal personnel exchanges and cooperation.
We hope that the Australian side will listen to the voice of the people, view China’s COVID-19 situation and prevention and control measures objectively, do more to promote China-Australia relations and provide better conditions and atmosphere for exchanges and cooperation in various fields.
From what I heard, yes there are shortages. Some people have tried to buy paxlovid to send back to china, but it's similar to the shortage of baby Tylenol and baby advil in north america for the last 6 months. Also with China's own version of paxlovid, that should get better.
I would take what the news says about china with a huge grain of salt. Our hospitals in Canada are also full of sick people and kids! More kids have died since december due to respiratory illness then entire winter seasons in the past but they don't report on that as much.
XBB 1.5 is what we need to watch out for.
Problem with antiviral drugs is that they seem to be quite expensive compared to run of the mill paracetamol/ibuprofen and likely won't be an option for a large chunk of the population, when it gets approval government should intervene to keep the prices low.
Just to elaborate on Canada, many pharmacies last month (maybe it's better today, not sure) were hiding cold medication, especially children's formulations behind the pharmacy counter.
It's not unusual for Chinese people to start hoarding (masks, baby formula), people in general really (toilet paper, baby formula again).
Pretty wild trying to shop nowadays, stores always have a list of what they don't have, only recently have they stopped locking up the baby formula, can't buy hyrdogen peroxide based contact lens solution for months. Would not be surprising at all if medication was hard to find in China. The whole world feels like the USSR (what I have heard the USSR to have been like)
Not something to cheer, but in an case of irony, a boba lib "writer/reporter" who retweeted anti-lock down tweets, also writes of her unvacinated mother's death from the ending of zero - covid