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China Covid: What is China's policy and how many cases are there? China Covid: How many cases and deaths are there?
(3 days later)
There are growing concerns over the spread of Covid in China following the recent easing of strict lockdown measures. There have been reports that hospitals in China are being overwhelmed
Hospitals and medical facilities have come under increasing strain as those who've tested positive at home seek medical support. There is growing concern over the spread of Covid in China following the recent easing of strict lockdown measures.
How many new Covid cases are there? Hospitals across the country appear to be filling up amid a fresh wave of infections, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In the week ending 11 December, official figures showed a fall in the total number of new infections across the country after a peak the previous week. How many Covid cases and deaths are there in China?
Officially, there have only been seven Covid deaths this week (up until 21 December), and none in the previous two weeks.
However, China has limited criteria for confirming Covid-19 deaths, which only includes those who die directly from respiratory illnesses caused by coronavirus, and not deaths caused by its knock-on effects.
The counting method does not correspond with WHO guidance, and results in a figure that is way below the death toll in many other countries.
In the week ending 11 December, official figures showed a fall in the total number of new infections across China after a peak the previous week.
This decline in reported cases may however be explained by significant changes in the way testing for Covid-19 is being carried out.This decline in reported cases may however be explained by significant changes in the way testing for Covid-19 is being carried out.
China has stopped mass testing and is only recording positive cases at hospitals and fever clinics where the patient has Covid symptoms.China has stopped mass testing and is only recording positive cases at hospitals and fever clinics where the patient has Covid symptoms.
Asymptomatic cases and positive results from home-testing kits are not recorded in the data.Asymptomatic cases and positive results from home-testing kits are not recorded in the data.
The number of Covid cases, however, is putting severe pressure on the health system. How much pressure are China's hospitals under?
Despite the official numbers being low, the WHO has warned the healthcare system in China could be under severe pressure.
Dr Michael Ryan, of the WHO, says: "In China, what's been reported is relatively low numbers of cases in ICUs, but anecdotally ICUs are filling up."
Videos have been emerging on social media appearing to show crowded hospitals.
By cross-referencing with other images posted online, the BBC has been able to verify two videos of overcrowding at a children's hospital in the city of Tianjin in northern China.
当下中国现状，天津儿童医院人满为患，闹哄哄的，患者得不到医治已经发生医疗冲突。 pic.twitter.com/GMXPadJmmo
However we have not been able to verify many of the other videos which have emerged.
It's difficult to confirm how severe the situation is compared with normal as China strictly controls information coming out of the country.
Ros Atkins on... China's Covid surge
Covid wave batters China's overstretched hospitalsCovid wave batters China's overstretched hospitals
Temporary health centres are being set up along with intensive care facilities across the country. It's been reported that in Shanghai alone, an extra 230,000 hospital beds have been made available. The BBC's team in Beijing have reported on long queues outside health clinics, and on the high demand for fever remedies at pharmacies.
There have also been reports of high demand for fever remedies at pharmacies. Temporary health centres are being set up along with intensive care facilities across the country.
What was China's zero Covid policy? National broadcaster CCTV has reported that Beijing's Chaoyang Hospital will boost its capability as the number of incoming patients increased by fourfold.
Before the recent relaxation of restrictions, China had one of the toughest anti-Covid regimes in the world - known as its zero-Covid policy. It's also been reported that in Shanghai an extra 230,000 hospital beds have been made available.
The measures included: Shanghai-based outlet Kankan News reported the city saw more than twice the amount of emergency calls between 16-20 December compared with same period last year, and a 44% increase in ambulances dispatched.
Strict lockdowns imposed by local authorities - even if only a handful of Covid cases found How has China's Covid policy changed?
Mass testing in places where cases reported There has been a sudden lifting of many of China's Covid restrictions following last month's protests against strict lockdowns across the country.
People with Covid isolated at home, or placed under quarantine at government facilities Before the recent relaxation, China had one of the toughest anti-Covid regimes in the world - known as its zero-Covid policy.
Businesses and schools closed in lockdown areas The measures included strict lockdowns even if only a handful of Covid cases had been found, mass testing in places where cases were reported, and people with Covid having to isolate at home or under quarantine at government facilities.
Shops closed - except for those selling food Schools had been closed in Shanghai
Lockdowns continuing until no new infections reported Lockdowns are now targeted to buildings, units or floors rather than to whole neighbourhoods or cities.
This meant tens of millions of people were living under some kind of lockdown. Lateral flow tests have replaced PCR tests in most cases, with PCR tests no longer required to enter public transport, restaurants, gyms and other public buildings (with the exception of schools, hospitals and nursing homes).
Some local authorities took extreme measures, such as forcing workers to sleep inside factories so they could work while quarantined. Amid a severe shortage of rapid test kits, several provinces are implementing a new policy that allows people with mild symptoms or no symptoms to go back to work.
In early November, workers at the Foxconn factory in Zhengzhou, which makes iPhones, staged a mass breakout because of fears they would be shut inside.
In August, shoppers in an Ikea store in Shanghai forced their way out through the doors to escape being locked down inside it.
How have the rules changed?
Following the protests against Covid lockdowns across the country - including direct criticism of President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party - the government announced an easing of the measures.
These include:
Lockdowns now targeted to buildings, units or floors rather than to whole neighbourhoods or cities
"High-risk" areas to come out of lockdown in five days if no new cases are found
Schools to remain open if there's no wider campus outbreak
People with Covid no longer required to go to a centralised quarantine facility
PCR tests are no longer required to enter public transport, restaurants, gyms and other public buildings, with the exception of schools, hospitals and nursing homes
Lateral flow tests to replace PCR tests in most cases
Inter-province travel restrictions lifted
National tracking app discontinued
Earlier, the government reduced isolation from 10 to eight days - five days at an isolation centre, plus three at home.
Some of the tight restrictions on international arrivals, in place since March 2020, have been eased.
Schools have been closed in Shanghai
What are China's vaccination rates?What are China's vaccination rates?
Overall, China says more than 90% of the population has been fully vaccinated.Overall, China says more than 90% of the population has been fully vaccinated.
However, less than half of people aged 80 and over have received three doses of vaccine. The vaccination rate back in April among this age group was much lower - less than 20%.However, less than half of people aged 80 and over have received three doses of vaccine. The vaccination rate back in April among this age group was much lower - less than 20%.
The authorities now say they require local health services to "strengthen immunization of the whole population, particularly the elderly".The authorities now say they require local health services to "strengthen immunization of the whole population, particularly the elderly".
There are doubts over whether the main vaccines used in China - Sinovac and Sinopharm - are effective against Omicron, the most widespread strain.There are doubts over whether the main vaccines used in China - Sinovac and Sinopharm - are effective against Omicron, the most widespread strain.
Western countries have offered China more effective vaccines, but China has refused to use them widely. China has refused to use Western vaccines widely.
The government has given no official explanation. However, national pride may be a factor according to Dr Yu Jie, Senior Research Fellow on China at the international affairs think tank Chatham House:The government has given no official explanation. However, national pride may be a factor according to Dr Yu Jie, Senior Research Fellow on China at the international affairs think tank Chatham House:
"I think it's Xi Jinping really thinking of things in terms of economic self-reliance - that need to have China produce and use its own vaccine, rather than import it from somewhere.""I think it's Xi Jinping really thinking of things in terms of economic self-reliance - that need to have China produce and use its own vaccine, rather than import it from somewhere."
Was zero Covid policy effective? Reporting by Wanyuan Song, Jake Horton and Jeremy Howell.
The Chinese government called its now dismantled policy "dynamic zero" - taking action wherever Covid flares up in order to eradicate it.
China has a programme of mass testing for Covid
The government said this saves lives, because uncontrolled outbreaks would put many vulnerable people at risk, including the elderly.
Strict lockdowns mean China's death toll had stayed low ever since the start of the pandemic - the official figure is just over 5,200.
This is equal to only three Covid deaths in every million in China, compared with 3,000 per million in the US and 2,400 per million in the UK.
What effect have zero Covid policies had on China's economy?
In recent months, lockdowns have taken place in several cities.
These include Shenzhen, a city of 17.5 million and technology hub, and Shanghai, a city of 26 million which is a manufacturing, trade and financial hub.
Lockdowns have led to factories and ports being shut for long periods.
They have also affected work with foreign companies.
It means that China's economy has grown by only 3.9% over the past year, compared with its target of 5.5% for 2022.
Unemployment is rising, especially amongst young people, and the property market is weakening.
China's lockdown measures are also affecting businesses and consumers in the rest of the world, who have come to rely on China for supplies of goods.
A lockdown at the Foxconn plant in Zhengzhou hit the production of iPhones, leading to fears of a worldwide shortage.
Factory closures have also led to fears of a shortage of toys ahead of Christmas.
China urges veterans to work at iPhone factory
Additional reporting by Jeremy Howell.