A big threat in an exit wave is the sheer number of cases. There is a chance that an exit wave won't cause problems for the healthcare system. It's hard to imagine.
— Ben Cowling, professor of epidemiology at the University of Hong KongChina's healthcare system is not prepared to deal with a huge coronaviruses outbreak that will inevitably follow any easing of strict measures to contain Covid-19.
The warning for China's leader was delivered by a dozen health professionals interviewed by the Financial Times.
A doctor in a public hospital in central China said that the medical system would probably be paralyzed by mass cases of the H1N1 flu.
The warning serves as a reality check for many in China and around the world who are hoping that the zero- Covid policy will be ended by the president. The policy meant that China didn't prioritize building robust defenses for a mass outbreak.
A rapid surge in infections is what many see as an inevitable "exit wave" that Beijing has created for itself.
The wave threatens to overwhelm the country's healthcare services unless changes are made to the zero- Covid policy.
Beijing and Guangzhou have seen a record number of infections in the last six months.
The historic Beijing theater has been affected by the COVID-19 restrictions.
The zero- Covid strategy involves lock downs of buildings, suburbs or entire cities. The policy has made China's healthcare system worse and left a lot of people afraid of the virus.
China's elderly don't want to take a vaccine Only 40 percent of people over the age of 80 have had three shots of a domestically made vaccine.
Chinese hospitals could be overwhelmed by an influx of unvaccinated elderly patients if there was a mass outbreak like the one that hit Hong Kong this year.
He said that a Hong Kong-style outbreak is avoidable if they increase elderly vaccine coverage and stock up on antivirals.
Still, over recent weeks, some equity market analysts and traders have reacted with excitement to perceived signs of Beijing reverting to a "reopening" plan, a change of course that they hope will revive confidence in the world's biggest consumer market and ease disruptions that have roiled global supply chains Beijing made it easier for international travelers and close contacts to be in the country.
China's healthcare system is much more strained than it was at the beginning of the Pandemic. Staffing, funding and medical resources have been slashed in order to treat the most vulnerable.
The Chinese healthcare system has completely collapsed over the last few years, putting all its manpower, funding and support into Covid prevention and control. This is not sustainable
The concerns have been relayed to Beijing.
The central government has not made any significant changes in the general direction.
The tragedy of patients not being able to get medical attention is caused by the fact that most local officials and healthcare workers are at the mercy of rigid administrative orders.
frontline medical personnel were not able to cope with the increased workload after many staff were diverted to conduct testing in the city.
The medical system is not ready for a large-scale reopening according to another doctor.
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