The exact extent of the current outbreak is difficult to determine because testing is no longer mandatory after China ended its «zero-covid» policy.
The exact extent of China's current Covid-19 outbreak is now "impossible to determine," the health ministry acknowledged Wednesday, Dec. 14, because tests are no longer mandatory after the sudden relaxation of health restrictions.
Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chunlan said the infections are "growing rapidly" in the capital. Some companies are reporting that 90% of their staff is infected.
Last week, China dramatically loosened restrictions on the virus that were designed to minimize infections and deaths.
"Most people who are infected but asymptomatic no longer do PCR tests, so it is impossible to get an accurate picture of the true number infected," the report said. Currently, most people do self-testing at home, and the method remains off the radar of health authorities.
While restaurants, malls and parks are reopening, the streets of Beijing remain virtually empty. Many sick residents are being treated at home, others are afraid of becoming infected, and businesses cannot operate because of infected staff.