China's Offer of Coronavirus Tests for All in Hong Kong Meets With Public Distrust
4 years, 4 months ago

China's Offer of Coronavirus Tests for All in Hong Kong Meets With Public Distrust

News 18  

A Chinese government offer to test all Hong Kong residents for the novel coronavirus is meeting scepticism from the city’s medical community and public and is emerging as a politically charged issue ahead of the launch of the plan next week. “This is China trying to take the credit for Hong Kong’s recovery from the third wave,” she said, referring to the city’s latest spike of cases. Chinese state media has denounced critics of the help as ungrateful, while China’s main office in the city – the Hong Kong Liaison Office – said in a statement it was “shocking” that people could question it. “Some people doubt, groundlessly, that such means would contravene local laws and professional guidelines or that mainland medical professionals cannot communicate in English,” the office said, referring to concern that mainland medics will struggle with Hong Kong’s English-language computerised medical records.

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History of this topic

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 …

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 …

U.S. to relax COVID testing rules for travelers from China as early as Friday
1 year, 10 months ago

U.S. to relax COVID testing rules for travelers from China as early as Friday

LA Times  

The Biden administration is preparing to relax COVID-19 testing restrictions for travelers from China as soon as Friday, according to two people familiar with the decision. The restrictions were put in place Dec. 28 and took effect Jan. 5 amid the surge in China after the government sharply eased pandemic restrictions and as U.S. health officials expressed concerns that their …

As schools are set to resume face-to-face classes in Hong Kong, mainland Chinese students face adjustment problems
1 year, 11 months ago

As schools are set to resume face-to-face classes in Hong Kong, mainland Chinese students face adjustment problems

Firstpost  

Parents and teachers have called for a range of support services for children who may face adjustment problems New Delhi: Thousands of children who live in mainland China and attend Hong Kong schools will return to their campuses for the first time in three years, parents and teachers of students said. According to a report in the South China Morning …

Hong Kong to scrap isolation rule for new COVID-19 cases
1 year, 11 months ago

Hong Kong to scrap isolation rule for new COVID-19 cases

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong will scrap its mandatory isolation rule for people infected with COVID-19 starting Jan. 30 as part of its strategy to return the semi-autonomous Chinese city to normalcy, the city’s leader said Thursday. For most of the pandemic over the last three years, Hong Kong has aligned itself with mainland China’s “zero COVID” strategy, requiring those …

Hong Kong to scrap isolation rule for new COVID-19 cases
1 year, 11 months ago

Hong Kong to scrap isolation rule for new COVID-19 cases

Firstpost  

For most of the pandemic, Hong Kong has aligned itself with China’s zero-COVID strategy, requiring those who tested positive to undergo quarantine. Many residents once had to be sent to hospitals or government-run quarantine facilities even when their symptoms were mild Hong Kong: Hong Kong will scrap its mandatory isolation rule for people infected with COVID-19 from 30 January as …

Chinese travellers head to Hong Kong for mRNA Covid vaccines: Report
1 year, 11 months ago

Chinese travellers head to Hong Kong for mRNA Covid vaccines: Report

Hindustan Times  

Scores of mainland Chinese travellers are rushing to Hong Kong to receive mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, which are not available on the Chinese mainland, as the country grapples with a torrent of infections which have overwhelmed its health system. Chinese travellers head to Hong Kong for mRNA Covid vaccines: Report A private hospital in the special Chinese administrative region of Hong …

WHO says China is undercounting Covid deaths, asks for more reliable data
2 years ago

WHO says China is undercounting Covid deaths, asks for more reliable data

Live Mint  

BY JOYU WANG | UPDATED JAN 04, 2023 11:09 PM EST Agency’s chief says testing requirements adopted by some countries for travelers from China are understandable The World Health Organization in a briefing Wednesday urged Beijing to be more transparent about its Omicron outbreak, with some officials questioning the accuracy of the country’s Covid-19 data. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus …

Beijing threatens response to ‘unacceptable’ virus measures
2 years ago

Beijing threatens response to ‘unacceptable’ virus measures

Associated Press  

BEIJING — The Chinese government sharply criticized COVID-19 testing requirements imposed on visitors from China and threatened countermeasures against countries involved, which include the U.S. and several European nations. “We believe that the entry restrictions adopted by some countries targeting China lack scientific basis, and some excessive practices are even more unacceptable,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a …

70% of Chinese megacity infected with Covid, doctor says
2 years ago

70% of Chinese megacity infected with Covid, doctor says

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. WHO officials have met counterparts from China’s National Health …

Beijing threatens response to toughened COVID measures for Chinese travelers
2 years ago

Beijing threatens response to toughened COVID measures for Chinese travelers

LA Times  

The Chinese government blasted coronavirus testing requirements imposed on travelers from China and threatened countermeasures against countries involved, which include the U.S. and several European nations. “We believe that the entry restrictions adopted by some countries targeting China lack scientific basis, and some excessive practices are even more unacceptable,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a daily news briefing …

Niesters: Illusion to think you can stop coronavirus
2 years ago

Niesters: Illusion to think you can stop coronavirus

NL Times  

Whether it is right for the government to offer travelers from China only a voluntary self-test for the coronavirus, virologist Bert Niesters does not know. The virologist explained that he is sometimes shocked at the number of people infected on flights from China. That is why, according to Niesters, it is important for China to continue testing for the coronavirus …

US to require negative Covid tests for travelers from China
2 years ago

US to require negative Covid tests for travelers from China

Firstpost  

From 5 January, all air passengers two years and older who originate from China must obtain a negative Covid-19 test less than two days before departure and provide it to their airlines, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Washington: The United States will require negative Covid tests from all air travelers from China, saying Beijing is not …

Hong Kong Scraps Vaccine Pass, COVID-19 Tests for Travellers
2 years ago

Hong Kong Scraps Vaccine Pass, COVID-19 Tests for Travellers

News 18  

Hong Kong will scrap some of its COVID-19 restrictions, including PCR tests for inbound travellers and vaccination requirements to enter certain venues, the city’s leader said on Wednesday. For most of the pandemic, Hong Kong has aligned itself with China’s “zero-COVID” strategy, requiring stringent COVID-19 tests and isolation for close contacts of infected cases as well as for incoming travellers. …

Hong Kong scraps vaccine pass, COVID-19 tests for travelers
2 years ago

Hong Kong scraps vaccine pass, COVID-19 tests for travelers

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong will scrap some of its COVID-19 restrictions, including PCR tests for inbound travelers and vaccination requirements to enter certain venues, the city’s leader said Wednesday. For most of the pandemic, Hong Kong has aligned itself with China’s “zero-COVID” strategy, requiring stringent COVID-19 tests and isolation for close contacts of infected cases as well as for …

U.S. will require coronavirus testing for travelers from China
2 years ago

U.S. will require coronavirus testing for travelers from China

LA Times  

The U.S. announced new coronavirus testing requirements Wednesday for all travelers from China, joining other nations imposing restrictions because of a surge in infections. But the CDC’s action may be less about stopping a new variant from crossing U.S. borders and more about increasing pressure on China to share more information, said Dr. David Dowdy, an infectious disease epidemiologist at …

Hospitals overflowing with patients, Covid testing down, says Indian-origin doctor in China
2 years ago

Hospitals overflowing with patients, Covid testing down, says Indian-origin doctor in China

India Today  

China has eased coronavirus-related restrictions even as it grapples with a fresh spurt in virus cases. India Today TV spoke to Dr Abhishek Kundu, an Indian-origin doctor living in China's Zhejiang province, which is witnessing close to one million Covid-19 cases daily according to some reports. If earlier the first two floors of the hospital saw Covid-19 patients, the cases …

COVID-19 China update: Difficult months ahead as 'coronavirus' cases spiral | KNOW WHY
2 years ago

COVID-19 China update: Difficult months ahead as 'coronavirus' cases spiral | KNOW WHY

India TV News  

China COVID-19 cases : Nearly three years after it was first identified in China, the coronavirus pandemic is now spreading through the vast country. “How well do they perform this particular catch up effort might determine some of the outcome.” Hospital conditions in China: Around Baoding and Langfang, hospitals have run out of intensive care beds and staff as severe …

‘A very hard road ahead’ for China as COVID-19 cases spiral
2 years ago

‘A very hard road ahead’ for China as COVID-19 cases spiral

Associated Press  

BAZHOU, China — Nearly three years after it was first identified in China, the coronavirus is now spreading through the vast country. The National Health Commission said China had 10 intensive care beds for every 100,000 people on Dec. 9, a total of 138,000 beds, up from 4 for every 100,000 people on Nov. 22. Even taken at face value, …

One-day tally of COVID cases in China hits 37 million: Report
2 years ago

One-day tally of COVID cases in China hits 37 million: Report

Al Jazeera  

Nearly 37 million people in China may have been infected with COVID-19 on a single day this week, the Bloomberg news agency has reported, citing minutes from an internal meeting of the country’s National Health Commission held on Wednesday. Concerns over official statistics On Thursday, health data firm Airfinity estimated that there are likely more than 5,000 daily deaths and …

WHO chief ‘very concerned’ over COVID situation in China
2 years ago

WHO chief ‘very concerned’ over COVID situation in China

Al Jazeera  

China could be struggling to keep a tally of COVID-19 infections as the country experiences a big spike in cases, a senior World Health Organization official has said, amid concerns about a lack of data from the country. “In China, what’s been reported is relatively low numbers of cases in ICUs, but anecdotally ICUs are filling up,” WHO’s emergencies director …

China reports first coronavirus deaths since easing zero-COVID policy
2 years ago

China reports first coronavirus deaths since easing zero-COVID policy

Firstpost  

Official case numbers are widely considered unreliable following the end of mandatory mass testing, while fears are mounting of a wave of infections in poor rural areas during the upcoming Lunar New Year holidays Beijing: China on Monday reported its first deaths from Covid-19 since loosening its hardline containment policy, as hospitals and crematoriums struggle with outbreak authorities say is …

In another big change, China says it won't report asymptomatic COVID cases
2 years ago

In another big change, China says it won't report asymptomatic COVID cases

Firstpost  

China last week announced its most significant easing yet of antivirus measures and has begun to see what appears to be a rapid increase in new infections Beijing: China said Wednesday it would stop reporting asymptomatic COVID-19 cases since they’ve become “impossible” to track with mass testing no longer required, another step in the country’s uncertain exit from some of …

Chinese struggle to ‘summon the courage’ to live with COVID-19
2 years ago

Chinese struggle to ‘summon the courage’ to live with COVID-19

Al Jazeera  

For three years, people in China have been told COVID-19 is deadly and it has made it difficult to cope with Beijing’s sudden move to rollback controls. Experts have been studying the effect of prolonged lockdowns on people’s mental health since COVID-19 first emerged in Wuhan three years ago and the city of 8.5 million was sealed off. The Lancet, …

China seeing ‘rapid spread’ of COVID-19, wave could last three months
2 years ago

China seeing ‘rapid spread’ of COVID-19, wave could last three months

The Hindu  

China’s current wave of COVID-19 cases, following the recent easing of pandemic restrictions, is seeing a “rapid surge” and the country can expect to see a return to normalcy only after the spring of next year, top epidemiologist and government advisor Zhong Nanshan told State media. Following Wednesday’s easing of pandemic restrictions, including a stop to mass testing, lockdowns and …

China government health adviser warns of surging COVID cases
2 years ago

China government health adviser warns of surging COVID cases

Al Jazeera  

Fears of a spike in infections after Beijing eased its ‘zero-COVID’ restrictions following rare nationwide protests. China faces a surge in COVID-19 cases after partially easing aspects of its so-called “zero-COVID” policy, a top government health adviser has said. The government made the changes – minimising the scope of mandatory testing, allowing some people who test positive to quarantine at …

Why China’s COVID figures don’t add up
2 years, 1 month ago

Why China’s COVID figures don’t add up

Al Jazeera  

China is reporting fewer COVID cases despite easing restrictions across the country. Since Beijing began to unwind its tough “zero-COVID” strategy following rare mass protests last month, health authorities have been reporting fewer infections each day. Under a broad easing of curbs announced by China’s National Health Commission this week, testing will be sharply scaled back and mostly confined to …

China grapples with a rash of coronavirus infections after easing its strict controls
2 years, 1 month ago

China grapples with a rash of coronavirus infections after easing its strict controls

LA Times  

A rash of COVID-19 cases in schools and businesses was reported by social media users Friday across China after the ruling Communist Party loosened anti-virus rules as it tries to reverse a deepening economic slump. “There’s very few people coming in because there’s so many cases,” said Gang Xueping, a waitress in a Beijing restaurant. Half of the company’s people …

China’s looser anti-COVID measures are met with relief and caution
2 years, 1 month ago

China’s looser anti-COVID measures are met with relief and caution

LA Times  

Residents of Beijing continue to get routine coronavirus tests despite China’s announcement that some stringent virus-control measures would be eased. People across China reacted with relief and caution Thursday to the dramatic government decision to loosen some of the world’s most stringent COVID-19 restrictions. “The opening is an irreversible trend in the future because most people have been vaccinated and …

China’s Beijing eases COVID curbs after rare protests
2 years, 1 month ago

China’s Beijing eases COVID curbs after rare protests

Al Jazeera  

Authorities in Chinese capital will no longer require negative COVID test to enter supermarkets, commercial buildings. China’s capital Beijing is no longer requiring a negative COVID-19 test to enter supermarkets and commercial buildings, local authorities have said, in the latest loosening of the country’s tough “zero COVID” strategy following rare protests. The loosening of restrictions comes after at least a …

China unleashes fresh Covid lockdowns after highest number of cases reported since start of pandemic
2 years, 1 month ago

China unleashes fresh Covid lockdowns after highest number of cases reported since start of pandemic

The Independent  

China is reimposing strict lockdown measures, including mass testing and quarantines, in multiple cities after it registered a record number of Covid-19 cases. China’s national health commission on Friday reported 32,695 new Covid cases, the highest figure since the outbreak of the coronavirus was suspected in Wuhan in late 2019. Residents were ordered to stay at home and carry out …

Hong Kong leader tests positive for COVID after APEC forum
2 years, 1 month ago

Hong Kong leader tests positive for COVID after APEC forum

Al Jazeera  

Hong Kong leader John Lee has tested positive for COVID-19 after travelling to a regional economic summit in an effort to restore the city’s battered international image and struggling economy. Lee tested positive on Monday, the city’s government said, days after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other world leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Bangkok. The …

As leaders meet, Chinese hope for end to ‘zero-COVID’ limits
2 years, 2 months ago

As leaders meet, Chinese hope for end to ‘zero-COVID’ limits

Associated Press  

BEIJING — As China’s ruling Communist Party holds a congress this week, many Beijing residents are focused on an issue not on the formal agenda: Will the end of the meeting bring an easing of China’s at times draconian “zero-COVID” policies that are disrupting lives and the economy? The Communist Party’s newspaper, the People’s Daily, published a series of opinion …

As China's Communist Party leaders meet, residents hope to end draconian 'zero-COVID' limits
2 years, 2 months ago

As China's Communist Party leaders meet, residents hope to end draconian 'zero-COVID' limits

Firstpost  

Any hopes for an easing, though, appear to have been dashed before the Congress. The Communist Party’s newspaper, the People’s Daily, published a series of opinion pieces on the effectiveness of China’s ‘zero-COVID’ approach, and health officials said last week China must stick with it Beijing: As China’s ruling Communist Party holds a congress this week, many Beijing residents are …

‘No one to be overlooked’: Beijing on high alert as Covid cases quadruple
2 years, 2 months ago

‘No one to be overlooked’: Beijing on high alert as Covid cases quadruple

Hindustan Times  

China is witnessing a surge in Covid cases as the country's capital introduced new measures to stop the transmission of the virus. The measures include strengthening public checks and locking down residential compounds, although strict curbs have not been placed owing to a key Communist Party congress underway. The caseload in Beijing itself has quadrupled in recent weeks as the …

Shanghai and Beijing order a new round of mass coronavirus testing
2 years, 6 months ago

Shanghai and Beijing order a new round of mass coronavirus testing

LA Times  

A woman gets her throat swabbed for a coronavirus test in Beijing on Wednesday. “The virus spreads quickly because such entertainment venues are mostly indoor and closed, with frequent movement of people, high concentrations of people and inadequate personal protection measures,” said Zhao Dandan, deputy director of Shanghai’s municipal health commission. Beijing has Enforcement in China’s capital has been far …

Xi’s Hong Kong visit marks its new era under Beijing’s control
2 years, 6 months ago

Xi’s Hong Kong visit marks its new era under Beijing’s control

LA Times  

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech after arriving in Hong Kong to mark the 25th anniversary of the city’s handover to China from Britain. Even before he set foot in Hong Kong, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s intent was clear: to usher in the city’s next chapter under the firm grip of Communist Party rule. “This is an opportunity to …

HK gets boost in fighting outbreak as central govt offers needed beds
2 years, 8 months ago

HK gets boost in fighting outbreak as central govt offers needed beds

China Daily  

Citizens wearing face masks line up for nucleic acid test at a testing site in South China's Hong Kong, April 14, 2022. The first phase of the hospital was handed over to Hong Kong on April 7, offering 500 beds in negative pressure wards－including 32 intensive care unit beds, and two operating theaters. Wang Hong, chairman of China Construction Science …

Beijing tests 20 million people for Covid in bid to avert lockdown misery seen in Shanghai
2 years, 8 months ago

Beijing tests 20 million people for Covid in bid to avert lockdown misery seen in Shanghai

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 Three-quarters of Beijing‘s 22 million …

Most Of Beijing To Be Tested For COVID-19 Amid Lockdown Worry
2 years, 8 months ago

Most Of Beijing To Be Tested For COVID-19 Amid Lockdown Worry

Huff Post  

A health worker takes a swab sample from a man to be tested for COVID-19 coronavirus at a makeshift testing site in Zhongguancun in Beijing, on April 26, 2022. Jade Gao/AFP via Getty Images BEIJING — Beijing will conduct mass testing of most of its 21 million people, authorities announced Monday, as a new COVID-19 outbreak sparked stockpiling of food …

Beijing rolls out mass Covid testing amid ‘fast and furious’ Omicron outbreak
2 years, 8 months ago

Beijing rolls out mass Covid testing amid ‘fast and furious’ Omicron outbreak

CNN  

CNN — Beijing has rolled out mass Covid testing for nearly 20 million residents in most of the city, as authorities race to contain a fresh Omicron outbreak that has sparked panic buying amid fears of a Shanghai-style lockdown. The officials also announced that mass testing would be expanded Tuesday to all but five outlying districts of the capital, covering …

China’s Beijing orders mass COVID testing; lockdown fears grow
2 years, 8 months ago

China’s Beijing orders mass COVID testing; lockdown fears grow

Al Jazeera  

Beijing residents ‘extremely nervous’ about a Shanghai-style lockdown as authorities order most of city’s 21 million people to undergo COVID testing. The Chinese capital, Beijing, has launched a COVID-19 testing drive for most of its 21 million people as authorities raced to contain a growing coronavirus outbreak and avert a city-wide lockdown. “Shanghai’s situation has gone beyond everyone’s imagination, and …

Shanghai residents question human cost of China's Covid-19 quarantines
2 years, 8 months ago

Shanghai residents question human cost of China's Covid-19 quarantines

Hindustan Times  

Lu, 99, was a long-time resident at Shanghai's Donghai Elderly Care hospital, her loved ones secure that she was getting round-the-clock care at the city's largest such centre. That was before Covid-19 struck China's biggest city last month, the country's worst outbreak of the pandemic, infecting multiple patients, doctors and care workers at the 1,800-bed facility. Among the questions she …

China's Health System Faces Raft of Challenges as Omicron Hits
2 years, 9 months ago

China's Health System Faces Raft of Challenges as Omicron Hits

News 18  

China is battling its biggest spike in coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic, with millions under lockdown and the healthcare system feeling the pressure. That is placing a strain on China’s already under-pressure medical system, as the highly transmissible Omicron variant rapidly moves through the population. Peking University researchers have warned that China could suffer a “colossal outbreak” …

Shanghai vows to enhance efficiency of testing
2 years, 9 months ago

Shanghai vows to enhance efficiency of testing

China Daily  

A grandparent takes care of her grandchild at a makeshift hospital at Shanghai New International Expo Center on Tuesday. Health authorities conducted citywide mass testing on Wednesday, Shanghai's sixth day under lockdown, following swift mass testing on Monday, which was completed with assistance from other regions. Shanghai has recorded more than 90,000 infections in the current outbreak, which started in …

Shanghai to allow parents to stay with COVID-infected kids
2 years, 9 months ago

Shanghai to allow parents to stay with COVID-infected kids

Associated Press  

BEIJING — Following a public uproar, Shanghai is allowing at least some parents to stay with children infected with COVID-19, making an exception to a policy of isolating anyone who tests positive. A top city health official said at a news conference that parents can apply to stay with children with “special needs” and accompany them if they fully comprehend …

China sends military, doctors to Shanghai to test 26 million residents for Covid-19
2 years, 9 months ago

China sends military, doctors to Shanghai to test 26 million residents for Covid-19

India Today  

China has sent the military and thousands of healthcare workers into Shanghai to help carry out Covid-19 tests for all of its 26 million residents as cases continued to rise on Monday, in one of the country's biggest-ever public health responses. The city has also converted multiple hospitals, gymnasiums, apartment blocks and other venues into central quarantine sites, including the …

Hong Kong urges testing, Shanghai struggles under lockdown
2 years, 9 months ago

Hong Kong urges testing, Shanghai struggles under lockdown

The Hindu  

Hong Kong authorities on Saturday asked the entire population of more than 7.4 million people to voluntarily test themselves for COVID-19 at home for three days in a row starting next week. The announcement by Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Saturday came as the southern Chinese city is struggling to contain a fifth wave of infections that has led to …

China doesn’t have a Covid exit plan. Two years in, people are fed up and angry
2 years, 9 months ago

China doesn’t have a Covid exit plan. Two years in, people are fed up and angry

CNN  

Editor’s Note: A version of this story appeared in CNN’s Meanwhile in China newsletter, a three-times-a-week update exploring what you need to know about the country’s rise and how it impacts the world. The top post linked to an interview, given by the head of the National Health Commission’s expert panel on Covid-19, that stressed China must “persist” in its …

Anti-COVID measures key to halting spread
2 years, 9 months ago

Anti-COVID measures key to halting spread

China Daily  

Quick identification of infections major tool to exert control, epidemiologist says Authorities urged over the weekend rigorous implementation of disease control measures to rein in the recent wave of locally transmitted COVID-19 cases on the Chinese mainland. Lei Zhenglong, deputy director of the health commission's Bureau of Disease Prevention and Control, said during a news briefing on Saturday that the …

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