China Confirms its First Covid-19 Fatality Since May

China confirmed on Sunday, Nov. 20, the nation's first fatality related to the Covid-19 virus outbreak, which has been making waves again for about six months.

According to the official Beijing Daily, as reported by The Straits Times, an 87-year-old man in Beijing passed away on Saturday, Nov. 19, due to a deterioration in his health.

Symptoms of Covid-19 infection appeared for the first time on Nov. 11, and he was confirmed diagnosed with the virus on Nov. 13.

Since May 26, when authorities in Shanghai reported one casualty from Covid-19, this was the first confirmed death from the virus.

The Resurgence of Covid-19 Cases

As it may take infected people many days or weeks to get gravely sick, the ongoing outbreak in China raises the probability of further fatalities. On Saturday, a total of 23,238 new infections were registered throughout the nation, a decrease of 180 over the previous day.

After the southern hub of Guangzhou reported 8,483 incidents on Saturday, authorities decided to prolong certain limits for the downtown zone of Haizhu until Nov. 22.

Easing the Restrictions

The resurgence of fatalities blamed on Covid-19 might put Chinese authorities to the test since they loosened restrictions earlier in November. This was seen by many as a deviation from the country's stringent zero-tolerance policy.

China, which has been cut off from the rest of the world for the last three years, has reduced quarantine periods for visitors and their close connections. It also lifted a ban on foreign flights due to excess sick travelers.

One of the most significant obstacles to China's reopening is the low immunization rates among the elderly and other vulnerable people.

Only 66% of those aged 80 and over have had all recommended vaccinations, and just 40% have received a booster. That was in contrast to the immunization rate of over 90% among American seniors.

Preparation for New Waves

In its fourth editorial since the modifications were announced, the People's Daily, the flagship newspaper of the Communist Party, said on Friday that China is enhancing its virus control methods and is not relaxing or "lying flat."

The top health officials in China have said they are taking precautions against any future outbreaks of the Covid-19 virus by expanding the number of hospitals equipped to treat patients with the virus.

They also require that 10% of all beds be allocated to critical care units.

Effect on Tech Industry

In October, the IT sector in China, especially the iPhone-making plant in Zhengzhou, saw early indications of a Covid-19 resurgence.

Hundreds of thousands of Foxconn workers in Zhengzhou, China, were restricted by the Covid-19 policy.

Foxconn's Zhengzhou site has 300,000 workers who were banned from dining in public and forced to eat in their dorms instead.

Employees may only go along certain routes on site as several entries are barred in a "de facto lockdown." Off-campus staff was told to move into a dorm, too.

Workers in the integrated Digital Product Business Group, which manufactures Apple iPhones, would enjoy three free meals a day and have their commuting expenses subsidized.

These previous restrictions were established as iPhone demand increased.

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Trisha Kae Andrada