China reports 20 new local Covid cases, 8 infections in Shanghai

The Chinese mainland has reported 20 confirmed locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, including eight in Beijing and Shanghai in the past 24 hours, according to the National Health Commission report on Friday.

Shanghai reported eight confirmed locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and eight asymptomatic local cases on Thursday, the municipal health commission said.

China reported 18 confirmed locally transmitted COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, including 11 in Beijing and five in Shanghai, according to the National Health Commission report on Thursday.

According to the National Health Commission, a total of 286 COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery on the Chinese mainland on June 1.

China’s much-publicized “Zero-Covid” strategy that the government until recently attributed to the country’s exit from the pandemic is unraveling as rapidly mounting cases again force massive shutdowns like those seen in 2020.

Meanwhile, according to the Hong Kong Post, despite vast medical resources like hospital beds and antiviral pills, a large majority of people over the age of 60 have yet to be vaccinated.

The fact that several people over the age of 60 have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 in China could be a deliberate action by the Chinese authorities to leave the elderly off the protection radar, seeing them as a burden on his economy.

Additionally, guidelines issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China intended to meet the needs of the elderly are not being followed in China, which is seen in the higher number of elderly deaths due to Covid. Many elderly patients who died in a Shanghai hospital after contracting Covid did so because they were not vaccinated.

Additionally, China is following a labor-intensive economic program that takes into account people under the age of 60, the Hong Kong Post reported. However, many older people who retire find themselves without sufficient resources, the cost of which is borne by families or the state.

As a result, the increase in the elderly population has reduced labor supply and increased the burden on families. Health expenditure could represent up to a quarter of GDP. Since the growth of the elderly population cannot be stopped, it could have a serious impact on the long-term balanced development of the country.

(Only the title and image of this report may have been edited by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Dear reader,

Business Standard has always endeavored to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that matter to you and that have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your constant encouragement and feedback on how to improve our offering has only strengthened our resolve and commitment to these ideals. Even in these challenging times stemming from Covid-19, we remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative opinions and incisive commentary on relevant topical issues.
However, we have a request.

As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more so that we can continue to bring you more great content. Our subscription model has received an encouraging response from many of you who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of bringing you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practice the journalism we are committed to.

Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.

digital editor