Chinese health officials say the country’s current wave of Covid-19 infections is “coming to an end”.
The number of severe Covid cases and deaths is trending downward, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a report.
It also said there had been “no obvious rebound” during Lunar New Year holidays last week, where millions reunited for family gatherings.
There have long been questions raised about China’s Covid reporting.
But experts say the decline reported now corresponds with the expected timing of an end to this major wave.
The virus tore through Chinese cities and towns after authorities lifted zero-Covid restrictions in December. However fever clinic visit rates have dropped over 90% through January and hospitalisation rates are down over 85%.
Fears that the virus could surge again during the festive period have also not yet been realised.
In its report, the CDC said: “There has not been an obvious rebound in Covid cases during the Lunar New Year holidays.
“In this time, no new variant has been discovered, and the country’s current wave is coming to an end.”
It also reported a sharp decline in the daily Covid death toll reported by hospitals – from a peak of 4,300 deaths on 4 January to 896 deaths on 23 January.
Infectious diseases expert Hsu Li Yang told the BBC: “This drop in deaths follows the decline in the first huge wave of cases after China relaxed its restrictions, which is understandable and has been seen in virtually every country experiencing a large Covid wave.
Source: bbc.com
