1.87 Million Excess Deaths Reported Following China’s Relaxation of COVID-19 Restrictions: Report

A comprehensive U.S. study conducted by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle has revealed that approximately 1.87 million excess deaths transpired within the initial two months after the Chinese government abruptly terminated its stringent “zero-COVID” restrictions in December of the preceding year.

The study, recently published in JAMA Network Open on August 23, extensively examined the aftermath of China’s decision to lift the zero-COVID policy. It discovered an alarming increase in excess deaths primarily among individuals aged 30 and above. This phenomenon was noted across all provinces in China, except for Tibet.

Significantly, the documented number of excess deaths markedly exceeded the official data disseminated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime. The regime’s official figures, released between early December 2022 and January 12, 2023, indicated around 60,000 COVID-related deaths during that period.

The researchers emphasized the importance of their findings, stating, “Our study of excess deaths related to the lifting of the zero-COVID policy in China sets an empirically derived benchmark estimate. These findings are important for understanding how the sudden propagation of COVID-19 across a population may impact population mortality.”

The study’s estimations were derived from an analysis of obituary data published by three Chinese universities and index searches on Baidu, China’s largest internet search engine. The research underscores the significance of combining various data sources to gain insights into complex public health research questions, particularly in instances where comprehensive data transparency is absent.

The study attributes the sudden resurgence of COVID-19 outbreaks to the hasty removal of strict lockdown measures on December 7, 2022. The lack of preparedness, insufficient medical resources, and the failure to adequately alert the public are cited as factors contributing to the new wave of infections that spanned from late 2022 to the first quarter of the subsequent year.

The report highlights the halt in official daily death reporting by China at the close of 2022. The World Health Organization (WHO) had previously voiced concerns about the accuracy and transparency of China’s COVID-19 data.

While the Chinese authorities declared approximately 121,628 COVID-related deaths, global health experts have continuously urged for increased data transparency and information sharing to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the pandemic’s impact.

Additionally, the study touches upon the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant, EG.5. This variant, known as Eris, has garnered attention due to its ability to evade immunity, diminishing the neutralizing effects of antibodies from previous infections. The study reports that EG.5 has swiftly become the dominant COVID-19 strain in numerous Chinese provinces.

As the world grapples with the evolving nature of the pandemic, the study serves as a critical reminder of the complexities involved in managing and mitigating the far-reaching consequences of COVID-19.