In this video, Dr. Seheult of MedCram discusses the current surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths ongoing in China. At this time unfortunately, a tremendous surge is ongoing with up to 5000 people dying daily according to some news articles. Per physicians working in China, they are seeing their hospitals extremely overwhelmed. This is similar to what was occurring in the United States when we had our surge. The physicians there are struggling to see all of the patients after China did an abrupt U-turn on its previously strict COVID-19 policies.
What was the timeline for China’s crisis?
The current timeline in China started in October with a more transmissible variant known as BF.7 which is short for BA.5.2.1.7 which is a sub-lineage of the Omicron BA.5 variant. It is more transmissible than prior variants. The R0 for Omicron was 5 and for BF.7 it is 10-18.6. China previously had a zero tolerance policy. On November 24, there was a major fire in Uyghur where many died as a result of an electrical fire but couldn’t escape and this was followed by major protests in China over the zero-COVID policy. This led to a major pivot on December 7 by the Chinese government in their policies. Cases started to go up immediately as well as deaths. During the week of December 12, China’s National Health Commission stopped providing complete COVID-19 case counts. China is no longer reporting any deaths; however, media from China is showing pictures of dozens of bodies in body bags and coffins as well as cars lined up to go to the crematoria.
How is China dealing with the surge?
China is now importing large amounts of Paxlovid for the treatments of these patients. The question is what about vaccinations? China reports that up to 90% of its population is vaccinated so why is this going on over there? There are some differences between China and the US when it comes to vaccination. In China, the least vaccinated are the elderly and there was no push for the elderly to be vaccinated unlike in the U.S. In China, in the 60+ age group over 30% are not vaccinated and in the 80+ age group over 60% are not vaccinated. Also there were no mRNA vaccines allowed to be imported into the country and there were no mandates for vaccines. There is some data that is showing superiority of mRNA vaccines compared to inactivated vaccines based on a large study in Singapore. The study found that compared with three doses of the mRNA vaccine, three does of the CoronaVac or BBIBP-CorV (vaccines used in China) had a 13% higher symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, 52% higher COVID-19 hospitalization and 90% higher severe COVID-19 symptoms.
How is the U.S. coping with BF.7?
BF.7 is more infectious than prior strains. It has been in the U.S. since October. Looking at current trends, it is not dramatically taking over and causing any surge here in the U.S. as it has been in China. Dr. Seheult as a pulmonologist and critical care physician states that while this current winter has been “tough” with respiratory infections including RSV and influenza and some COVID, he has not seen anywhere near the amount of COVID-19 related infections this year as compared to last summer and last winter.
Can China’s surge still affect the global economy?
However, as noted in this article, China’s overwhelming surge could overwhelm their healthcare system and have a negative impact on the global economy. This is exactly what happened here in the U.S. where we experienced not enough hospital beds and coming close to running out of oxygen. We also saw this occur with India’s surge last year. This could impact global economy. Many things are manufactured in China and where you can have the government shutting things down as it did before leading to a supply chain problem, things can really shut down fast when people are sick and can’t come to work. This will most likely have an impact on the global economy soon.
What can you do if you have COVID-19?
At MedCram, we are concerned about these individuals who are suffering from a viral illness. We believe in a swiss cheese model approach when dealing with these respiratory illnesses. Vaccinations have a role but they are only one slice in the swiss cheese model. There are things that can be done in addition to vaccines that will not put any stress on the supply chain. MedCram has several videos including the video on sunlight, 10 tips for COVID-19 and updates 46 and 47 on things you can do such as hydrotherapy while you are ill. These are things that can be used in complement to vaccines and Paxlovid. Dr. Seheult finishes the video by listing the 8 vaccines that are currently approved for use in China. There are some clinical sub trials that are ongoing currently in China. As it stands, as of December, there are no RNA or DNA type vaccines available in China.
COVID-19 ventilator course
As a reminder, MedCram has made its COVID-19 ventilator course free for medical professionals to use during these times.
LINKS / REFERENCES:
China (COVID19 Vaccine Tracker) | https://covid19.trackvaccines.org/cou…
Why vaccine hesitancy persists in China — and what they’re doing about it (NPR) | https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsand…
Variant Proportions (CDC) | https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-trac…
Comparative effectiveness of 3 or 4 doses of mRNA and inactivated whole-virus vaccines against COVID-19 infection, hospitalization and severe outcomes among elderly in Singapore (Lancet) | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science…
China’s Massive Covid-19 Surge May Overwhelm Healthcare System And Negatively Impact Global Economy (Forbes) | https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuaco…
China’s zero-Covid policy explained in 30 seconds (Guardian) | https://www.theguardian.com/world/202…
‘I hold China accountable’: Uyghur families demand answers over fire that triggered protests (CNN) | https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/01/china/…
China Eases ‘Zero Covid’ Restrictions in Victory for Protesters (NYT) | https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/07/wo…
BF.7: What to know about the Omicron COVID variant (CBS) | https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bf7-new-…
COVID-19 Cases and Deaths by Vaccination Status Dashboard (Texas DHS) | https://www.dshs.texas.gov/covid-19-c…
DEATH LINES Harrowing vids show lines of coffins & body bag queues amid China’s Covid ‘mega-tsunami’ as 5,000 die a day (Sun) | https://www.the-sun.com/news/6990484/…
The Case for Sunlight in COVID 19 Patients: Oxidative Stress (MedCram) | https://youtu.be/2Zzo4SJopcY
If You Get COVID 19: Optimize Immune System (MedCram) | https://youtu.be/vN30emwcNS4
Coronavirus Pandemic Update 46: Can Hot/Cold Therapy Boost Immunity? More on Hydroxychloroquine (MedCram) | https://youtu.be/EFRwnhfWXxo
Coronavirus Pandemic Update 47: Searching for Immunity Boosters & Possible Lessons From Spanish Flu (MedCram) | https://youtu.be/H1LHgyfPPQ8
All coronavirus updates are at MedCram.com (including more discussion on delta variant covid, COVID Delta, COVID children, natural immunity COVID 19, and more).
MedCram Update 46: https://youtu.be/EFRwnhfWXxo
MedCram Update 47: https://youtu.be/H1LHgyfPPQ8
MedCram Update 132: https://youtu.be/9OZZ6_M4OB0
Videos on a variety of medical topics including health optimization are at MedCram.com
Stay Tuned for More Updates
Our COVID-19 videos are always available for free (and ad-free) at MedCram.com. In addition, check out our full library of courses and lectures on subjects ranging from Hypertension Explained Clearly to Sleep Apnea Explained Clearly Course and many more!
Meanwhile, you can find all of our COVID-19 videos compiled here.
Visit MedCram.com for updates on Monkeypox virus infectious disease and more.