Hospitals and funeral homes in China are under pressure as a new wave of Covid-19 sweeps across the country, prompting other countries to consider new conditions for Chinese arrivals, Reuters writes.
After widespread protests at the beginning of December, China has rapidly changed its policy of containment of Covid-19. However, the sudden lifting of restrictions allows the virus to spread widely, and millions of people are likely to be infected every day. It is already overburdening China’s healthcare system and raising concerns elsewhere in the world about possible new virus mutations.
As of the 27th of December, China has reported only three deaths related to Covid-19, however, such information contradicts the reports of funeral homes, and is completely different from the experience of other countries after restrictions are lifted. Huaxi Hospital in southwest China is reported to be extremely busy treating coronavirus patients. One hospital ambulance driver, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Reuters:
«I’ve been doing this job for 30 years and this is the busiest I have ever known it.»
On the evening of the 27th of December, long queues formed at the hospital’s emergency department and fever clinic. Oxygen is mostly given to help to breathe. According to the staff, almost all of those brought in had Covid-19. There are no specific drugs available at the hospital to treat the virus, and the only thing that can be done is to relieve the symptoms.
Meanwhile, the parking lot at one of the city’s largest funeral homes is overflowing. Funeral ceremonies are ongoing and the smoke from the crematorium chimney does not stop. One of the workers said: «We have to do this about 200 times a day now. We are so busy we don’t even have time to eat. This has been the case since the opening up. Before it was around 30-50 a day.»
Nurses and doctors have to work even if they themselves have fallen ill, while in rural areas retired doctors have been reinstated.
Certain cities have already faced a shortage of medicines.
From the 8th of January, domestic travelers in China will no longer need quarantine. Hong Kong says it will lift most of the restrictions still in place. In turn, the governments of several countries are considering introducing additional entry conditions for travelers from China. US officials say the lack of transparent and open data urges them to do this.
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