China woefully underprepared for Covid chaos: Report

Beijing: China is woefully underprepared for the chaos that is inevitably unfolding since the Covid controls were lifted, as seen in other countries, the media reported on Friday.
According to South China Morning Post, Since Beijing’s sudden U-turn on ending the zero-Covid policy more than two weeks ago, “Chinese officials and state media have struggled to put a positive spin on the decision”.
Hospitals in China are overwhelmed with patients after Covid controls were eased for the first time last month, and then earlier this month.
“The reality could not be more starkly different – fever medicine in short supply, hospitals and emergency services swamped, an acute blood shortage in many cities, the death toll soaring among the elderly, and morgues and funeral parlours overwhelmed with bodies,” the report mentioned.
Also Read India’s leadership at UNSC draws praise from array of nations Meanwhile, the country has sent hundreds of healthcare workers, some specialising in critical care, to Beijing to ease the burden.
“However, the fact that outside help is needed in Beijing, which has the top medical resources in the country, highlights how fragile the healthcare system is as it faces an unprecedented Covid-19 wave following the government’s change in pandemic response,” the report added.