More and more Chinese cities are relaxing their corona rules. The basis of the zero-Covid policy could soon be dropped throughout the People’s Republic. An expert reports anonymously, but in the state media, that the current classification of the virus does not correspond to scientific knowledge.
According to a report, the basis for the strict corona measures in China could soon be removed. As the virus weakened, conditions were improving for Covid-19 to be downgraded as a serious contagious disease, China’s state-run news agency Yicai reports. More than 95 percent of cases in China are now asymptomatic and mild, and the mortality rate is very low.
Under these circumstances, adhering to the classification of the virus does not correspond to scientific knowledge, Yicai quotes an expert on infectious diseases while maintaining anonymity. Corona could therefore be downgraded to category B or even category C. As of January 2020, the infectious disease is classified as Category B in China, but is managed under Category A protocols. On the basis of this, China can enforce its zero corona policy with the strict measures.
Category A diseases in China include bubonic plague and cholera, while SARS, AIDS and anthrax fall under category B. Category C includes influenza, leprosy and mumps, among others. Any adjustment to the classification of infectious diseases by the National Health Commission, China’s top health authority, requires the approval of the State Council or cabinet.
The number of daily infections continues to fall. The country has recorded 30,014 new infections, according to the National Health Commission. The day before it was 31,824. 4,213 of the cases are symptomatic and 27,611 are asymptomatic infections, which are counted separately in China. The country reports no further deaths related to the virus in the past 24 hours – after two the previous day. The number of corona deaths in China remains at 5235.
