The removal of the test requirement after the change in the direction of the Kovid-19 policy in the country makes it difficult to detect cases, while the new standards adopted in keeping death statistics cause the majority of virus-related casualties to be unregistered.
While the density in hospitals, clinics, morgues and crematoriums has increased due to the sudden change in epidemic control measures, the statistics of cases, patients and deaths seem far from reflecting the real picture.
The daily case estimates announced by the local health commissions of Qingdao in Shandong province in the north of the country and Dongguan cities of Guangdong province in the south of the country revealed the striking difference between the official figures announced by the National Health Commission and the situation in the field.
Bo Tao, Chairman of the Qingdao Health Commission, reported that they estimate that between 490 thousand and 530 thousand people are infected per day in the city with a population of approximately 9 million.
Bo stated that patients admitted to hospitals and clinics and other data point to the “sudden spread before reaching the peak” of the epidemic picture in the city.
Dongguan Health Commission, on the other hand, announced that as a result of projections made with computer models and expert evaluations, it is estimated that 250 thousand to 300,000 people are infected in the city per day.
The commission stated that the number of daily cases in the city, whose population exceeds 10 million, has increased rapidly, and that health institutions and personnel are facing great pressure and difficulties.
NO VIRUS DEATH ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL FIGURES
On the other hand, according to the official figures announced by the National Health Commission, 4 thousand 128 cases were detected in the last 24 hours in mainland China, while no death due to the virus was observed.
The commission reported that 1737 cases were recorded in Guangdong province, where Dongguan is a part, and 31 cases were recorded in Shandong province, which is part of Qingdao.
It is estimated that after the removal of testing in China, a large number of cases and deaths with a direct or indirect effect of the virus were not recorded because there was no testing.
While it has been observed that the density has increased in hospitals, morgues and crematoriums in the country, the relatives of the deceased report that some Kovid-19 symptoms such as difficulty in breathing were seen in the last moments of the deceased.
The National Health Commission announced on December 20 that new standards were introduced for keeping Kovid-19 statistics. Accordingly, it was reported that from now on, only deaths caused by pneumonia and respiratory failure due to the virus will be recorded, and those who lost their lives from complications such as chronic diseases or heart attacks, although the Kovid-19 test is positive, will not be included in the statistics.
China previously defined deaths from Kovid-19 more broadly. Elderly patients with chronic diseases, those who died from a heart attack, were considered dead from Kovid-19 if the test result was positive.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that deaths “assumed” or “probable” to be caused by Kovid-19 should also be recorded. Many countries still adopt this broad definition in their statistics. (AA)