The World Health Organisation has accused China of 'under-representing' the severity of its COVID-19 outbreak and criticised its 'narrow' definition of what constitutes a COVID death. 9News
of "under-representing" the severity of its COVID-19 outbreak and criticised its "narrow" definition of what constitutes a Covid death, as top global health officials urge Beijing to share more data about the explosive spread.
Speaking in more detail, WHO Executive Director for Health Emergencies Mike Ryan said the current numbers released by China "under-represent the true impact of the disease" in terms of hospital and ICU admissions, as well as deaths. In the two weeks prior to January 4, China reported fewer than 20 deaths from local Covid cases, according to figures released on the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention website.
The surge in cases in a country of 1.4 billion has also raised global concerns about the potential emergence of new variants - and of China's levels of monitoring and sharing data. The WHO's Tedros said Wednesday it was "understandable" that some countries were taking these steps, "with circulation in China so high and comprehensive data not forthcoming."
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