China’s mainland is experiencing another surge in the COVID-19 pandemic, with the true infection rate and scale widely believed to far exceed official reports. Recently, a doctor at a clinic in Guangzhou disclosed to Epoch Times that senior doctors at a tertiary hospital in the area have rapidly died after contracting COVID-19, causing panic within the industry. Residents of Guangzhou and Shenzhen have personal experiences that contradict the official narrative of the situation being under control. Many believe that the authorities continue to conceal the truth about the outbreak, leading to a lack of transparency and limited public knowledge about the real situation.
According to recent data released by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the positivity rate for COVID-19 testing has been on the rise since April. The southern provinces have shown higher positivity rates compared to the north, with some provinces experiencing earlier increases in positivity rates.
A report by Xinhua News Agency on May 28 claimed that according to the National Health Commission of China, the COVID-19 situation in the country is showing signs of easing, with most provinces reaching peak levels or showing a decline in cases. Regional disparities exist, with activity levels in southern provinces generally higher than in the north. The dominant circulating variant is the XDV mutant strain of the NB.1.8.1 sub-branch.
However, information provided by interviewees from Guangzhou and Shenzhen paints a starkly different picture. Dr. Kang Hong (pseudonym), a physician at a clinic in Guangzhou, confirmed to Epoch Times reporters that most recent COVID-19 cases involve adults, including children, with symptoms generally more severe than a common cold. He revealed that there have indeed been cases of doctors in Guangzhou succumbing to COVID-19.
Dr. Kang mentioned that a significant portion of patients visiting the clinic exhibit symptoms of fever and cold, with no COVID-19 testing being conducted as patients are reluctant to undergo testing due to the high certainty of infection. Hospitals have refrained from large-scale nucleic acid testing to prevent social panic.
Dr. Kang emphasized that those with severe symptoms typically seek hospital care, and if pneumonia is present, hospitalization, and ICU admissions may be necessary. Patients visiting his clinic with severe symptoms are almost certainly diagnosed with COVID-19, given the intensity of their symptoms compared to a common cold.
Most shockingly, Dr. Kang revealed that a senior doctor at the hospital where his daughter works, a tertiary hospital, recently died from COVID-19. This prompted his daughter to urge him to wear a mask for protection.
He added that the doctor initially did not pay attention to symptoms, only getting tested when they worsened, resulting in a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. With underlying health conditions, the doctor passed away while on duty, creating fear among colleagues.
Despite the rising infection rates, local health authorities informed Dr. Kang that there was no need to report diagnosed cases, recommending standard preventive measures like disinfection, wearing masks, and handwashing instead.
Dr. Kang also mentioned that the COVID-19 outpatient department at tertiary hospitals in Guangzhou serves as a “checkpoint”, where patients are tested upon arrival with the costs covered by the government, primarily for surveillance purposes.
Reflecting on the outbreak over the past three years, Dr. Kang noted widespread infections and medication shortages, with a high mortality rate. The official numbers were significantly underreported, with more deaths and severe cases than publicly acknowledged, leading to a crisis in managing the deceased.
Guangzhou resident Mr. Li revealed that many people around him have been experiencing cold symptoms. His family members took turns getting sick recently, with his condition being more severe than others. He mentioned enduring symptoms similar to a heavy cold for about ten days, attributing the recurrence to COVID-19 reinfection.
On the other hand, Mr. Guo, a resident of Shenzhen, shared his recent experience with a “cold” that lasted two days, accompanied by muscle soreness and body aches. He observed prolonged cold-like symptoms among some individuals lasting up to 20 days, indicating potential COVID-19 reinfections. Following the May Day holiday, there has been a surge in infections among travelers returning home.
Mr. Guo added that many people have succumbed to COVID-19 since the outbreak began, with the authorities unlikely to disclose the true causes of death publicly. He personally knew two individuals who died from COVID-19, highlighting the severity of the situation.
These firsthand accounts from residents of different cities starkly contrast with the official narrative of a declining trend in the pandemic, highlighting a widely perceived lack of transparency and a reality obscured by official reports.