Microbiologist, Residents Say China Conceals Extent of Respiratory Virus Outbreak

The Epoch Times Header

In the absence of reliable health data, crowded hospitals have sparked fears among the public during the Lunar New Year holiday.

Chinese health authorities have said this winter’s flu season is less severe than the year before, but medical experts cast doubts over the transparency of its respiratory illness situation.

Residents from four different cities have expressed concerns about an uptick in respiratory infections within their families and communities when speaking to The Epoch Times.

Some suspected their flu-like symptoms may actually be caused by COVID-19, fearing that doctors were instructed to avoid such diagnoses, given that the authorities declared a victory in its fight against the pandemic almost two years ago.

In Shenyang, northern China, a woman named Xu said she’s noticed more people sick with respiratory illnesses have seen local hospitals packed again during the Lunar New Year holiday.

“I’m feeling unwell myself and haven’t recovered. The hospital said I contracted influenza A, but I believe it’s just COVID-19,” Xu told The Epoch Times on Feb. 7. She expressed concerns about how quickly the virus circulated among humans this time, saying her son, daughter-in-law, and their school-aged daughter have all fallen ill. “The authorities are concealing the scale of the outbreak.”

Flu Toll Questioned

China’s top health body has acknowledged the country is grappling with a spike in respiratory infectious illness, but said the rate of influenza has shown signs of slowing down.

During the regime’s most recent briefing, National Health Commission (NHC) officials reiterated its previous assessment, saying the scale and intensity of the spread of respiratory infectious diseases this year is lower than it was during the previous winter season.

“No new infectious disease had been detected,” Mi Feng, NHC’s spokesperson, told reporters on Jan. 17, ahead of the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, attributing the current infections to a combination of known germs, most prominently influenza. No data was provided during the briefing.

It remains unclear how many people were infected with the influenza virus or COVID-19 this year. The latest figures showed 112 COVID-19 infections and seven deaths in December 2024, according to a monthly report from China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Since December 2022, after a leaked recording of an internal NHC meeting indicated the COVID outbreaks were far worse than the official tallies indicated, the top health regulator stopped publishing daily COVID figures and transitioned COVID-related updates to its sub-department, CDC.

By Dorothy Li

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

Biden’s Autopen Was A Mighty Big Sword

The autopen was used to sign Biden's name on pardons and EO, even when he was out of the country. Did he know what was signed? Did he authorize the signatures?

I Refuse To Be A Serf

“How are people not furious about property taxes?” President Trump...

Putting it to rest

As the nation hits its taxation stride on its way to April 15th and DOGE continues to reveal waste and fraud, a review of the nation’s finances is overdue.

Lefty Activist Judges are Obstructing Trump’s Presidency

Activist judge’s ruling to block President Donald Trump from being able to execute his Constitutional Article 2 Powers pose a real “Constitutional crisis”.

France’s Next Quarterly Nuclear Drills Might Become Prestige-Building Exercises With Poland

Europe wonders what form Macron’s plans to extend his nuclear umbrella over the continent could take, considering risks entailed after Moscow’s negative reaction.

News

Pentagon Taps 2 Firms That Partner With Ukraine to Make Drone Prototypes

Two Ukrainian companies will help manufacture prototype drones for the Pentagon, as the United States seeks to rapidly scale its unmanned capabilities.

Dismantling of Education Department Is Underway, Drawing Legal Challenges

Trump has yet to issue an EO to eliminate the Dept of Education or work with Congress to do it, but the process of dismantling it is well underway.

NASA’s Starliner Astronauts Welcome New Crew to Space Station

One day after blasting off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the SpaceX Crew-10 capsule arrived at the International Space Station on March 16.

Sen. Lankford Sees New ‘Wild Card’ Role as Chance to Speed Up Senate

Sen. James Lankford is guiding colleagues as vice chair of the Senate Republican Conference informing media and the public about efforts of party’s senators.

Massive Storm Leaves at Least 33 Dead as US Hit by Tornadoes, Wildfires, Blinding Dust

Violent weather broke out across the central and southern US, sending tornadoes and high winds with storm killing at least 33 people as of March 16.

Judge Blocks Trump’s Efforts to Deport Gang Members Under 1798 Alien Enemies Act

Federal judge blocked Trump’s efforts to rapidly deport members of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua through use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.

US to Pay El Salvador $6 Million to Imprison 300 Illegal Immigrant Gang Members for a Year

Trump admin is set to pay El Salvador $6 million to hold 300 members of Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang and 2 alleged members of MS-13 in prison for a year.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central