WHO concerned over increasing reports of severe COVID-19 cases in China
PBS NewsHourDec 24, 2022
The Facts
Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the UN agency is “very concerned” about reports of severe COVID cases across China after the country veered sharply away from its long-standing “zero-COVID” policy.
On Wednesday, in the PRC's latest COVID report, no new fatalities were noted despite nationwide reporting of overloaded medical facilities, crematoriums, and long lines of hearses. Since the onset of the pandemic three years ago, China has reported only 5,241 COVID deaths — a very low count when compared to other less populated countries.
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
Though the Western media initially praised China's response to the pandemic, the numbers it reported were simply lies. Now, China has almost completely lifted restrictions, and cases of the virus have exploded. The Chinese Communist Party is betting they will be more successful at obfuscating the number of lives lost than they were in keeping people locked down with draconian measures.
Pro-China narrative
China is doing the best it can regarding COVID as the PRC tries to balance economic realities, public health, and societal pressures. China has been the world's premier partner in dealing with the pandemic, and it will continue to respond to new COVID-related challenges. There is no need for the international community to worry about this recent COVID surge in China — Beijing will safeguard both health and the economy.