2 COVID-19 deaths reported in Beijing as virus surges
Chinese health authorities have reported the nation's first COVID-19 deaths in more than two weeks
BEIJING (AP) — China's health authorities on Monday announced two COVID-19 deaths — the country's first reported fatalities in weeks — amid an expected surge of illnesses after it eased its strict “zero-COVID” approach.
Unofficial reports point to a widespread wave of new coronavirus cases, and relatives of victims and people who work in the funeral business said deaths tied to COVID-19 were increasing. Those people spoke on condition of not being identified for fear of retribution.
Before Monday's two reported deaths — both in Beijing — China had not reported a death from COVID-19 since Dec. 4.
With those fatalities, the National Health Commission raised China’s total to 5,237 deaths from COVID-19 in the past three years, out of 380,453 cases of illness. Those numbers are much lower than in other major countries but also are based on statistics and information-gathering methods that have come into question.
