Covid: WHO asks China to share specific, real-time data on situation

The World Health Organization (WHO) has once again asked China to share real-time and specific data regularly on the COVID-19 condition in the nation. The world health body also asked Chinese authorities to provide data on genetic sequencing, vaccinations, deaths, and hospitalizations. “WHO again asked for regular sharing of specific and real-time data on the epidemiological situation – including more genetic sequencing data, data on disease impact including hospitalisations, ICU admissions and deaths -and data on vaccinations delivered and vaccination status, especially in vulnerable people and those over 60 years old,” the official WHO release.

Context

This comes amid clips on social media showing crematoriums in the communist nation and health centers packed with coronavirus patients coupled with western media’s depiction of grim picture situations in the country. China condemned those reports and called them biased, distorted, and a politically driven campaign. Instead, China has claimed that it has the lowest coronavirus-related serious illness and death rate compared to other nations is low.

Travel restrictions

Notably, several countries put restrictions on the flyers from the communist in the wake of data opacity. The United Kingdom and France joined the United States, India, and a list of other nations in imposing mandatory COVID-19 tests for travelers from China. The US, Japan, Taiwan, and Italy have also started random COVID-19 testing of international passengers at the airports. Meanwhile, Spain, Israel, South Korea, and France also need proof of a negative RT-PCR test for individuals arriving from China. Backing countries imposing travel restrictions, the WHO has stated: “In the absence of comprehensive information from China, it is understandable that countries around the world are acting in ways that they believe may protect their populations.” 10 nations impose travel curbs on China

WHO holds high-level meeting, extend support

Officials of the WHO recently chaired a high-level meeting with China on the current situation and offered its expertise and support. The high-level officials from China’s National Health Commission and the Prevention Administration, and the National Disease Control informed WHO on the country’s evolving plan and actions in vaccination, monitoring of variants, clinical care, epidemiology, R&D, and communication, said WHO. It expressed willingness to provide support in these areas, as well as on risk communications on vaccination to counter hesitancy. The world health body also reinstated the significance of vaccination to protect people against the highly contagious virus and from death for individuals at higher risk. WHO also suggested China bolstered its clinical management, viral sequencing, and impact review and conveyed a willingness to deliver assistance in these parts.