China reports 60,000 Covid deaths as WHO calls for more data

The World Health Organisation has urged China to be more open about the number of its coronavirus fatalities as 60,000 Covid-related deaths in a month are declared.

The World Health Organisation has called on China to provide more data on its Covid situation, after Beijing reported almost 60,000 Covid-related deaths there in just over a month.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the request in a conversation with Ma Xiaowei, director of China’s National Health Commission, said a statement from the organisation.

“Dr Tedros also reiterated the importance of China’s deeper co-operation and transparency,” said the statement.

The Chinese government has been widely accused of underreporting the number of coronavirus fatalities since the abandonment of its zero-Covid policy.

Travellers wait at the Lok Ma Chau border checkpoint in Hong Kong, China. Tens of thousands cross Hong Kong-mainland China border as Covid zero ends after 3 years of restrictions. Picture: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images

Only a few dozen deaths had been recorded officially in December before Saturday’s announcement, despite evidence of crematoriums and hospitals being overrun.

But a National Health Commission (NHC) official said Saturday that China had recorded 59,938 Covid-related deaths between December 8 and January 12.

The figure refers only to deaths at medical facilities, with the total number likely to be higher.

The World Health Organisation, in its statement, said it is “analysing this information, which covers early December 2022 to 12 January 2023, and allows for a better understanding of the epidemiological situation and the impact of this wave in China.

Patients on stretchers are seen at Tongren hospital in Shanghai. A senior doctor at Shanghai's Ruijin Hospital has said 70 percent of the megacity's population may have been infected with Covid-19. Picture: AFP

“WHO requested that this type of detailed information continue to be shared with us and the public,” the statement added.

“WHO notes the efforts by Chinese authorities to scale up clinical care for its population at all levels, including in critical care.”

China has seen a surge in Covid-19 cases since the government lifted its strict zero tolerance measures to contain the virus earlier this month. Picture: Getty Images

Only a few dozen deaths had been recorded officially in December before Saturday’s announcement, despite evidence of crematoriums and hospitals being overrun.

But a National Health Commission (NHC) official said Saturday that China had recorded 59,938 Covid-related deaths between December 8 and January 12.

A passenger wearing personal protective equipment arrives at Beijing Airport. Picture: AFP

Only a few dozen deaths had previously been reported. Picture: AFP

The figure refers only to deaths at medical facilities, with the total number likely to be higher.

The data includes 5503 deaths caused by respiratory failure directly due to the virus, and 54,435 deaths caused by underlying conditions combined with Covid, Jiao Yahui, head of the NHC’s Bureau of Medical Administration, told a news conference.

Beijing revised its methodology for categorising Covid fatalities last month, saying it would count only those who die specifically of respiratory failure caused by the virus.

Passengers wait for trains at Hongqiao railway station in Shanghai. Picture: AFP

Patients in the emergency department at Huashan Hospital in Shanghai. Picture: AFP

This was criticised by the World Health Organisation, which said the definition was too narrow.

Late in the day, the World Health Organisation issued a statement saying Beijing had shared a raft of data with the Geneva-based agency, in addition to the information shared at the press conference – but that more was still needed.

The WHO “requested that this type of detailed information continue to be shared with us and the public”, the statement said.

The request was made during talks between WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and China’s Health Minister Ma Xiaowei, the statement said.

Mr Tedros “reiterated the importance of China’s deeper co-operation and transparency on understanding the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic”, the WHO said.

Beijing, however, has repeatedly insisted it has been transparent with the international community about its data, urging the WHO to “uphold a scientific, objective and just position”.