China didn’t warn public of likely coronavirus pandemic for six key days
4 years, 8 months ago

China didn’t warn public of likely coronavirus pandemic for six key days

LA Times  

Chinese President Xi Jinping talks March 10 by video with patients and medical workers at the Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan. If health officials raise the alarm prematurely, it can damage their credibility — “like crying wolf” — and may cripple their ability to mobilize the public, he said. In a faxed statement, the National Health Commission said China had published information on the outbreak in an “open, transparent, responsible and timely manner,” in accordance with “important instructions” repeatedly issued by President Xi. On Jan. 20, President Xi issued his first public comments on the virus, saying the outbreak “must be taken seriously.” A leading Chinese epidemiologist, Zhong Nanshan, announced for the first time that the virus was transmissible from person to person. “They may not have said the right thing, but they were doing the right thing,” said Ray Yip, the retired founding head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s office in China.

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History of this topic

Situation in China not unusual: Health Ministry urges calm amid HMPV spread scare
Top News
5 days, 17 hours ago

Situation in China not unusual: Health Ministry urges calm amid HMPV spread scare

India Today  

The Union Health Ministry on Saturday assured the public that there was no need for alarm over the recent rise in respiratory illness cases in China, including those caused by the Human Metapneumovirus. In a statement, the ministry emphasised that the "situation in China is not unusual" and that "India remains well-prepared to handle respiratory infections effectively". "Officials are closely …

HMPV outbreak in China: Centre monitors cases in India, experts call for early detection to curb its spread
6 days, 17 hours ago

HMPV outbreak in China: Centre monitors cases in India, experts call for early detection to curb its spread

India TV News  

Amid HMPV outbreak in China, the National Centre for Disease Control under the Union Health Ministry on Friday said it is closely monitoring respiratory and seasonal influenza cases in the country, and is in touch with international agencies, sources told news agency ANI. Experts call for early detection to curb its spread Dr Arjun Dang, CEO, Dr Dangs Lab, said …

Is there an epidemic brewing in China?
1 week ago

Is there an epidemic brewing in China?

India Today  

Social media platforms have been inundated with alarming claims about a new epidemic spreading across China. Users are sharing videos showing overcrowded hospitals and suggesting the rapid spread of multiple respiratory viruses, including Influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and COVID-19. However, there is currently no credible evidence to support these claims, and official confirmation from health authorities remains absent. The …

Shared most Covid data: China's defence as WHO says Beijing's 'moral imperative'
1 week, 2 days ago

Shared most Covid data: China's defence as WHO says Beijing's 'moral imperative'

India Today  

The Chinese government on Tuesday said that it has shared the most Covid-19 data and research findings with the international community and stressed that investigations into the origins of coronavirus should be conducted in other countries as well. Beijing's remarks came after the World Health Organisation urged the country to share data on the origins of the pandemic, five years …

‘Moral imperative’: WHO presses China to share COVID origins data
1 week, 2 days ago

‘Moral imperative’: WHO presses China to share COVID origins data

Al Jazeera  

Beijing insists it has shared information on the coronavirus ‘without holding anything back’. “Without transparency, sharing, and cooperation among countries, the world cannot adequately prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics.” The WHO recounted how on December 31, 2019, its country office in China picked up a media statement from health authorities in the central city of Wuhan concerning …

WHO urges China to share Covid origins data, five years on from pandemic’s emergence
1 week, 2 days ago

WHO urges China to share Covid origins data, five years on from pandemic’s emergence

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN — The World Health Organization has urged China to share data to help understand the origins of Covid-19, five years on from the start of the pandemic in the Chinese city of Wuhan. “Without transparency, sharing, and cooperation among countries, the world cannot adequately prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics.” China’s Foreign Ministry defended the …

‘Beyond reasonable doubt’ Covid pandemic originated at Wuhan market stall
3 months, 2 weeks ago

‘Beyond reasonable doubt’ Covid pandemic originated at Wuhan market stall

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy It is beyond “reasonable doubt” that the Covid-19 pandemic originated in …

China’s Management of Covid-19 Crisis: A Case Study in Disinformation and Censorship - News18
1 year ago

China’s Management of Covid-19 Crisis: A Case Study in Disinformation and Censorship - News18

News 18  

Censorship, surveillance, and authoritarianism have become synonyms with China in recent years. The court observed that had the government officials heeded to the warnings from the detained healthcare workers and adopted precautionary measures than taking punitive measures by labelling them as rumourmonger, “it would’ve meant we could better control the coronavirus today.” Dr Li contracted covid19 on January 8, 2020, …

Scientists see risk of lost opportunity for long COVID research in China
1 year ago

Scientists see risk of lost opportunity for long COVID research in China

The Hindu  

With more than a full year past since China eased restrictions and let COVID-19 sweep its households, scientists are worried a unique opportunity may be slipping away to study long COVID from possibly hundreds of millions of infections in that country. China's rare circumstances - relying on home-grown vaccines and mostly avoiding COVID until late in the pandemic - could, …

What we know about respiratory illness outbreak ‘overwhelming’ China’s hospitals
1 year, 1 month ago

What we know about respiratory illness outbreak ‘overwhelming’ China’s hospitals

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “With the outbreak of pneumonia in China, children’s hospitals …

Congress demands CDC hands over everything it knows about China's mystery pneumonia outbreak
1 year, 1 month ago

Congress demands CDC hands over everything it knows about China's mystery pneumonia outbreak

Daily Mail  

Outbreaks of the new illness across China were first made public November 21 The committee is demanding answers from CDC to its questions by December 13 A Congressional committee tonight sent a scathing letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention demanding it be more transparent regarding the mysterious outbreak of pneumonia in China, stressing the agency could not …

China's respiratory illness surge not as high as pre-pandemic, says WHO official
1 year, 1 month ago

China's respiratory illness surge not as high as pre-pandemic, says WHO official

Firstpost  

According to Maria Van Kerkhove, acting director of the WHO’s department of epidemic and pandemic preparation and prevention, the increase seems to be caused by an increase in the number of children catching diseases that they have avoided for the past two years due to COVID limitations A World Health Organisation official has said that although there has been an …

‘Not by novel virus’: What China said on ‘mysterious pneumonia’
1 year, 1 month ago

‘Not by novel virus’: What China said on ‘mysterious pneumonia’

Hindustan Times  

A pneumonia outbreak in China has alerted the world including the World Health Organization which sought more information about the situation from the country. Medical staff in protective suits treat a patient with pneumonia On Sunday, China's health ministry asked local authorities to increase the number of fever clinics amid the latest crisis. "Efforts should be made to increase the …

Review hospital preparedness: Centre to states amid mysterious pneumonia outbreak in China
1 year, 1 month ago

Review hospital preparedness: Centre to states amid mysterious pneumonia outbreak in China

Hindustan Times  

The Centre has written to all states and Union Territories asking them to review the hospital preparedness as the health ministry is closely monitoring the rise of respiratory illness cases in China among children. China is witnessing a sudden spike in cases of respiratory illness among children. All cases of influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory illness among children and …

China's health ministry seeks more fever clinics amid pneumonia outbreak
1 year, 1 month ago

China's health ministry seeks more fever clinics amid pneumonia outbreak

Hindustan Times  

China's health ministry on Sunday urged local authorities to increase the number of fever clinics as the country grapples with a surge in respiratory illnesses in its first full winter since easing COVID-19 restrictions. Medical staff in protective suits treat a patient with pneumonia The spike became a global issue last week when the World Health Organization asked China for …

Centre asks states to review hospital preparedness amid China pneumonia scare, says ‘no need for alarm’
1 year, 1 month ago

Centre asks states to review hospital preparedness amid China pneumonia scare, says ‘no need for alarm’

India TV News  

The Centre on Sunday asked states to review hospitals' preparedness amid the China pneumonia scare. In a letter to all states and Union territories, the Union health secretary has advised them to immediately review public health and hospital preparedness such as availability of beds, drugs and vaccines for influenza, medical oxygen, antibiotics, personal protective equipment, testing kits and reagents, functionality …

‘Our teams are on alert,’ says Kerala Health Minister amid Pneumonia outbreak in China
1 year, 1 month ago

‘Our teams are on alert,’ says Kerala Health Minister amid Pneumonia outbreak in China

Hindustan Times  

After the pneumonia outbreak in China, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said on Saturday that teams of health officials in the state are on alert. Kerala Health Minister Veena George "The World Health Organisation discussed this with China yesterday. Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that the ongoing situation of the pneumonia outbreak in China is being keenly observed …

Chinese hospitals ‘overwhelmed with sick children’ after surge in respiratory illness
1 year, 1 month ago

Chinese hospitals ‘overwhelmed with sick children’ after surge in respiratory illness

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy China insists it has not …

No ‘unusual’ virus behind rising Pneumonia cases China has clarified, reveals WHO
1 year, 1 month ago

No ‘unusual’ virus behind rising Pneumonia cases China has clarified, reveals WHO

Firstpost  

Since mid-October 2023, the World Health Organization has been monitoring data from Chinese surveillance systems showing an increase in respiratory illness in children in northern China China has reiterated that no unusual or new pathogens have been detected in the upsurge in child respiratory illnesses in the north, the WHO said on Thursday after putting pressure on Beijing for detailed …

China's pneumonia scare: Transparency please
1 year, 1 month ago

China's pneumonia scare: Transparency please

Live Mint  

China, where covid broke out in November 2019, is in the spotlight again. The World Health Organization has asked the country for details on an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children. In a recent statement, the WHO noted an increase in influenza-like ailments compared to the same autumn of the past three years in China’s …

Spike in illnesses isn’t a new pathogen, China reassures WHO
1 year, 1 month ago

Spike in illnesses isn’t a new pathogen, China reassures WHO

Salon  

An outbreak of respiratory illnesses in China has sparked alarm, but the sudden rise in sickness is not related to a new virus, according to Chinese health authorities. So far, the data suggests that there’s nothing out of the ordinary, but both the WHO and China have been criticized in the past for not being entirely transparent about the COVID-19 …

WHO asks China to provide information on increase in respiratory illnesses, pneumonia
1 year, 1 month ago

WHO asks China to provide information on increase in respiratory illnesses, pneumonia

Op India  

The WHO has made an official request to China for detailed information on an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children in the country. Chinese authorities from the National Health Commission at a press conference on November 13, reported an increase in the incidence of respiratory diseases in China. Chinese authorities attributed this increase to the …

On China pneumonia outbreak, scientists caution to not press ‘pandemic panic button’
1 year, 1 month ago

On China pneumonia outbreak, scientists caution to not press ‘pandemic panic button’

Hindustan Times  

Leading scientists urged caution over fears of another pandemic on Thursday after the World Health Organization requested more information from China on a rise of respiratory illnesses and pneumonia clusters among children. The standard wording of the alert echoed the first-ever notice about what would become COVID-19, sent on Dec. 30 2019: "Undiagnosed pneumonia - China." "I am not going …

WHO asks China to provide more details on spike in pneumonia cases among children
1 year, 1 month ago

WHO asks China to provide more details on spike in pneumonia cases among children

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. There are reports of hospitals in northern China facing …

China Sees Surge in ‘Unexplained’ Pneumonia Cases Among Children; WHO Seeks More Details
1 year, 1 month ago

China Sees Surge in ‘Unexplained’ Pneumonia Cases Among Children; WHO Seeks More Details

News 18  

Masks and social distancing have made a comeback in China due to a mysterious pneumonia outbreak. As the country experiences a strain on hospitals because of a sharp increase in cases of unexplained illness, especially among children, the World Health Organization issued a guidance on Wednesday. Earlier this week, ProMED, noted a growing number of media reports of clusters of …

WHO asks China for more information about rise in illnesses and pneumonia clusters
1 year, 1 month ago

WHO asks China for more information about rise in illnesses and pneumonia clusters

Associated Press  

GENEVA — Chinese officials say they did not detect any “unusual or novel diseases” in the country, the World Health Organization said Thursday, following an official request by the U.N. health agency for information about a potentially worrying spike in respiratory illnesses and clusters of pneumonia in children. WHO noted that authorities at China’s National Health Commission on Nov. 13 …

WHO asks China for more data on respiratory illnesses outbreak
1 year, 1 month ago

WHO asks China for more data on respiratory illnesses outbreak

The Hindu  

The World Health Organization has asked China for more data on respiratory illnesses spreading in the north of the country, but Beijing offered no public comment on Thursday. "WHO has made an official request to China for detailed information on an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children," the UN health body said in a statement …

China says seasonal germs, rather than ‘unusual or novel pathogens,’ behind spike in pediatric respiratory illness, WHO says
1 year, 1 month ago

China says seasonal germs, rather than ‘unusual or novel pathogens,’ behind spike in pediatric respiratory illness, WHO says

CNN  

CNN — Chinese health authorities told the World Health Organization on Thursday that a spike in cases of children with pneumonia or respiratory illness in the northern part of the country stems from typical seasonal germs rather than any novel or unknown pathogen, the organization said. At Thursday’s teleconference, WHO said, the Chinese officials reported enhanced surveillance of respiratory illnesses …

WHO asks China for more information on rise in cases of respiratory illness and pneumonia
1 year, 1 month ago

WHO asks China for more information on rise in cases of respiratory illness and pneumonia

LA Times  

Residents line up for mass COVID-19 testing in Beijing in May 2022. The United Nations health agency cited unspecified media reports and a global infectious disease monitoring service as reporting clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China. The WHO noted that authorities at China’s National Health Commission on Nov. 13 reported an increase in respiratory diseases, which they …

What is the mysterious pneumonia outbreak in China?
1 year, 1 month ago

What is the mysterious pneumonia outbreak in China?

Al Jazeera  

The WHO has asked China for more information on the undiagnosed respiratory illness that has spiked since October 2023. As China experiences its first winter without strict COVID-19 restrictions since the outbreak of the pandemic three years ago, a wave of respiratory illnesses is sweeping across the country. On Wednesday, the WHO asked China to release information on the recent …

China on ALERT over likely COVID-19 relapse ahead of winter
1 year, 1 month ago

China on ALERT over likely COVID-19 relapse ahead of winter

India TV News  

COVID-19 alert: Ahead of the winter season, an alert has been sounded across China about the relapse of COVID-19 infections and experts have asked elderly and vulnerable populations to get vaccinated. The Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention showed that a total of 209 new severe COVID-19 cases and 24 deaths caused by COVID-19 were reported across the country …

‘Went to meet Xi Jinping but…’: WHO chief urges China for ‘full access’ on Covid
1 year, 3 months ago

‘Went to meet Xi Jinping but…’: WHO chief urges China for ‘full access’ on Covid

Hindustan Times  

The World Health Organisation's chief urged China to offer more information on the origins of Covid-19 and as the health body is ready to send a second team to probe the matter, it was reported. “We’re pressing China to give full access, and we are asking countries to raise it during their bilateral meetings — to co-operate,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus …

Opinion: We’ve made huge advances against COVID. Why is it still killing so many people?
1 year, 7 months ago

Opinion: We’ve made huge advances against COVID. Why is it still killing so many people?

LA Times  

Many immunocompromised and older people are still terrified of COVID. COVID never treated all groups equally, and some older people and immunocompromised individuals still face the highest risk of serious illness. Even for severely immunocompromised people — namely a fraction of those with malignancies or autoimmune disorders who take a drug that depletes their antibody response, as well as patients …

We need China’s cooperation to understand covid: former WHO chief scientist
1 year, 8 months ago

We need China’s cooperation to understand covid: former WHO chief scientist

Live Mint  

Cooperation from China, including access to sites, data, blood samples, and animal farms in the country, is required to determine the origin of the covid-19 virus, according to former World Health Organization chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan. Swaminathan emphasized the need to address long covid symptoms, particularly among those with high-risk conditions such as hypertension. During every covid wave, when people …

Learn from missteps in Covid’s early days
1 year, 8 months ago

Learn from missteps in Covid’s early days

Hindustan Times  

Covid-19 is no longer a public health emergency, the World Health Organization declared last week, roughly 1,200 days after it first learnt of a new coronavirus spreading through Wuhan, China. Still, WHO’s word is a strong determinant in global health discourse and on this count, the agency fell short in its mission, especially in the early days of the pandemic. …

China to remain alert even as WHO declares COVID-19 global emergency over
1 year, 8 months ago

China to remain alert even as WHO declares COVID-19 global emergency over

Firstpost  

A top Chinese health official said that despite the World Health Organisation ending the worldwide emergency designation for COVID-19, the virus is still dangerous and China will continue to monitor it while boosting vaccination rates among high-risk groups. According to Liang Wannian, head of China’s COVID-19 response expert group under the National Health Commission, the warning status being lifted by …

China health officials lash out at WHO, defend virus search
1 year, 9 months ago

China health officials lash out at WHO, defend virus search

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Ignoring experts, China’s sudden zero-COVID exit cost lives
1 year, 9 months ago

Ignoring experts, China’s sudden zero-COVID exit cost lives

Associated Press  

BEIJING — When China suddenly scrapped onerous zero-COVID measures in December, the country wasn’t ready for a massive onslaught of cases, with hospitals turning away ambulances and crematoriums burning bodies around the clock. Chinese state media claimed the decision to open up was based on “scientific analysis and shrewd calculation,” and “by no means impulsive.” But in reality, China’s ruling …

Ignoring experts, China’s sudden zero-COVID exit cost lives
1 year, 9 months ago

Ignoring experts, China’s sudden zero-COVID exit cost lives

LA Times  

An elderly patient uses a ventilator in the hallway of the emergency ward in Beijing in January. Chinese state media claimed the decision to open up was based on “scientific analysis and shrewd calculation,” and “by no means impulsive.” But in reality, China’s ruling Communist Party ignored repeated efforts by top medical experts to kick-start exit plans until it was …

WHO accuses China of withholding information on origin of COVID-19
1 year, 9 months ago

WHO accuses China of withholding information on origin of COVID-19

The Hindu  

The World Health Organisation has accused China of withholding information and data that may throw light on the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has asked why such information was not shared three years ago. GISAID is a global science initiative and primary source established in 2008 that provides open access to genomic data of influenza viruses and the coronavirus …

China dismisses FBI statement on COVID-19 lab leak theory
1 year, 10 months ago

China dismisses FBI statement on COVID-19 lab leak theory

Firstpost  

Beijing: For the second day in a row, China on Wednesday dismissed U.S. suggestions that the COVID-19 pandemic may have been triggered by a virus that leaked from a Chinese laboratory. Responding to comments by FBI Director Christopher Wray, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the involvement of the U.S. intelligence community was evidence enough of the “politicization of origin …

Covid-19 pandemic likely originated from a lab incident in China, tweets FBI
1 year, 10 months ago

Covid-19 pandemic likely originated from a lab incident in China, tweets FBI

India TV News  

FBI Director Christopher Wray confirmed that the COVID-19 pandemic likely originated from a lab incident in Wuhan even as China on Tuesday pushed back at renewed suggestions that the pandemic could have been the result of a lab leak, saying it has been “open and transparent” in the search for the virus’ origins. "FBI Director Christopher Wray confirmed that the …

China says it’s been ‘open and transparent’ on COVID origins
1 year, 10 months ago

China says it’s been ‘open and transparent’ on COVID origins

Associated Press  

BEIJING — China on Tuesday pushed back at renewed suggestions that the COVID-19 pandemic could have been the result of a lab leak, saying it has been “open and transparent” in the search for the virus’ origins. Recently, the U.S. Department of Energy assessed with “low confidence” that the pandemic that was first detected in the central Chinese city of …

Beijing needs to be ‘more honest about what happened in Wuhan’, says US envoy to China
1 year, 10 months ago

Beijing needs to be ‘more honest about what happened in Wuhan’, says US envoy to China

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors …

China replies to US on COVID lab leak theory: 'Already contributed immensely to global virus tracing research'
1 year, 10 months ago

China replies to US on COVID lab leak theory: 'Already contributed immensely to global virus tracing research'

India TV News  

China COVID origin: A day after the United States released a report in which it reiterated that the COVID virus leaked from a lab in China, the latter has refuted the claims and said it is "transparent" in the matter pertaining to the lethal virus. The critical remarks from Beijing came as the US Department of Energy reassessed the theory …

U.S. agency says COVID came from “lab leak”, China slams “smear”
1 year, 10 months ago

U.S. agency says COVID came from “lab leak”, China slams “smear”

The Hindu  

China on Monday accused the United States of “smearing” the country and “politicising” scientific research, after a government agency in Washington published a report concluding that the COVID-19 pandemic likely began from a laboratory accident. A classified intelligence report recently provided to the White House and members of Congress, reported The Wall Street Journal on Monday, said the U.S. Energy …

US says Chinese lab leak most likely caused Covid-19: Report
1 year, 10 months ago

US says Chinese lab leak most likely caused Covid-19: Report

Hindustan Times  

The coronavirus pandemic likely arose from a Chinese laboratory leak, the US Department of Energy now says according to media, although the White House maintained Sunday that American intelligence remained divided on the issue. The determination -- noted in a classified report by Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines's office, The Wall Street Journal reported -- marks a shift by …

It’s confirmed! China Lab leak triggered Covid pandemic, but was it an accident?
1 year, 10 months ago

It’s confirmed! China Lab leak triggered Covid pandemic, but was it an accident?

Live Mint  

The coronavirus pandemic most likely was caused by a leak in a Chinese laboratory, a classified intelligence report of the US Energy Department has revealed, according to the Wall Street Journal. This report nonetheless, affirms that the covid pandemic was a leak, an accident and not part of Chinese biological-weapons program, the people who have read the classified report said …

Experts discuss WHO's recent COVID-related statement
1 year, 11 months ago

Experts discuss WHO's recent COVID-related statement

China Daily  

Editor's note: After the conclusion of its 14th International Health Regulations Emergency Committee, the World Health Organization issued a statement that the novel coronavirus pandemic remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. That requires society to make seasonal arrangements to protect vulnerable groups, like vaccinating the seniors who have a weak immune system and the medical staff who have …

WHO Emergency Committee Debates Covid-19 Emergency Status
1 year, 11 months ago

WHO Emergency Committee Debates Covid-19 Emergency Status

News 18  

The World Health Organization’s emergency committee on Covid-19 was meeting Friday to discuss whether the pandemic still merits the highest level of global alert. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus suggested the emergency phase of the pandemic is not over, pointing to surging numbers of deaths and warning that the global response to the crisis “remains hobbled”. “But the global response …

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