Residents throughout China express to The Epoch Times that the true severity of the COVID-19 situation far exceeds the figures presented by the government.
According to the Chinese Communist Party’s latest report, COVID-19 cases surged by over 160 percent in May, with the China CDC citing 440,662 confirmed cases, 606 severe cases, and seven reported deaths. This marks a stark increase from April’s figures of 168,507 cases, 340 severe cases, and nine deaths.
As noted by the China CDC, the daily reported new cases fluctuated, peaking around May 26 before declining. The predominant strain identified is NB.1.8.1, a sixth-generation variant of the XDV Omicron lineage.
At a recent press briefing, Liu Qiyong, a researcher at the China CDC, claimed that while the outbreak reached a peak in May, a downward trend is being observed in certain provinces. He reassured the public that most clinical cases remain mild and that existing testing reagents and treatments continue to be effective.
However, U.S.-based physician and commentator Tang Jingyuan voiced skepticism regarding the official narrative. He speculated that the CCP’s assertion of a downward trend is primarily aimed at preventing public panic amid fears of a larger outbreak this summer. He emphasized that without June’s data, it remains premature to conclude that the outbreak has peaked.
Tang also expressed doubts about the efficacy of current treatments against emerging strains, noting that reliable medical statistics would be necessary to substantiate such claims. He remarked, “The current wave of the epidemic is still evolving, and we can’t simply declare it finished.”
Voices from within China resonate with Tang’s concerns. Residents have reported symptoms that persist longer than typical colds, with many turning to traditional Chinese medicine for relief. This distrust in official data is not unfounded; the CCP has a notorious history of downplaying the severity of COVID-19 since the pandemic’s onset.
Lasting Symptoms
Chen Yang, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner in Hunan Province, shared with The Epoch Times that he has treated patients exhibiting severe symptoms, such as prolonged coughs, sore throats, and fevers. He lamented that even with deaths tied to COVID-19, hospitals do not label them as such due to government restrictions.
Another Shenzhen resident, Mr. Jian, recounted long queues at fever clinics, asserting that the current variant is reminiscent of SARS-CoV-2, with symptoms lasting over a week. He voiced frustration that patients are often left in the dark, as doctors refrain from identifying the virus and instead instruct them to test at home.
Dr. Jonathan Liu, a Canadian medical expert, noted that while SARS-CoV-2 continues to mutate, respiratory symptoms remain predominant. He cautioned that patients might face serious complications, including potential cardiac issues, as various pathogens may be at play during this outbreak.
NB1.8.1 Spreading Internationally
As the infection wave persists in China, countries worldwide, including the United States, are reporting increased cases of the NB1.8.1 variant. The World Health Organization has classified this strain as a “variant under monitoring.”
Dr. James Lawler from the University of Nebraska Medical Center highlighted that NB.1.8.1 exhibits a strong affinity for human receptors and is adept at evading the immune response, raising concerns about its potential to dominate future cases.
Tang confirmed that this strain demonstrates enhanced transmissibility and immune evasion. He warned that if this trend continues unchecked, a new global outbreak could emerge this summer. He elaborated that it is a recombinant mutant strain, complicating predictions about its future mutations and impacts.
Luo Ya, Fang Xiao, and Xiong Bin contributed to this report.
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