Xi urges steps to protect lives as China lifts Covid-19 curbs

BEIJING – Chinese President Xi Jinping urged officials to take steps to protect lives on Monday in his first public remarks on Covid-19 since Beijing dramatically loosened hardline containment measures this month.

Having been largely sheltered from the virus for much of the pandemic, China is now experiencing the worlds biggest surge in infections after restrictions that torpedoed the economy were abruptly lifted.

Studies have estimated that around one million people could die over the next few months. Many in the population are grappling with shortages of medicine, while emergency medical facilities are strained by an influx of undervaccinated elderly patients.

At present, Covid-19 prevention and control in China are facing a new situation and new tasks, Mr Xi said in a directive, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

We should launch the patriotic health campaign in a more targeted way … fortify a community line of defence for epidemic prevention and control, and effectively protect peoples lives, safety and health, he said. AFP More On This Topic China cities see Covid-19 peaking in January as official data gets obscured China's medical staff fighting Covid-19 say hospitals are 'overwhelmed' Related Stories What you need to know about S'pore's new Covid-19 vaccination strategy Asia stepping up fight against more infectious Covid-19 variants Hong Kong cements Covid-19 tests with centres just a 15-minute walk Covid-19 wave looms in Europe amid vaccine fatigue and false sense of security Long Covid remains a mystery, though theories are emerging askST: What is excess death and what is Covid-19's true toll on the world? Biden says pandemic is over; survivors and doctors disagree No plans to include Covid-19 vaccinations in childhood immunisation schedule: Ong Ye Kung Human development set back 5 years by Covid-19, other crises: UN report Covid-19's harmful effects on the brain reverberate years later: Study