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China reports almost 60,000 COVID-related deaths since December

China’s National Health Commission said the country had reported close to 60,000 deaths from COVID-19 since the ending of the stringent “zero-COVID” policy on December 7, 2022.

In the 36-day period from December 8, 2022 to January 12, 2023, there were a total of 59,938 deaths, Jiao Yahui, director of the National Health Commission’s medical affairs department, said. This included 5,503 deaths from respiratory failure directly caused by COVID-19, and 54,435 deaths of those who had underlying conditions and were then infected.

According to the NHC, the average age was 80 while 90% were aged 65 and above.

As of end-November, shortly before China’s abrupt change in policy and almost overnight lifting of restrictions and ending of lockdowns, only 40% of the 30 million above-80 population had completed the full three doses of Chinese vaccines required to prevent hospitalisation and death, according to data from Hong Kong.

While most cases have been reported as mild, the unvaccinated elderly population has been vulnerable amid the rapid spread of cases, leading to huge pressure in recent weeks on the medical system.

There is now concern of a spread of cases to rural areas as many return home ahead of the January 22 Chinese New Year.