China 'defeated' Covid, according to leaders

China's top leaders have declared a 'decisive victory' over Covid-19, claiming the world's lowest death toll. But experts are unsure of the data provided by the authorities and are questioning them.

China abruptly ended its zero-Covid policy in early December, with 80% of its 1.4 billion population infected, a leading government scientist in China said last month.

Although hospitals and morgues are full, China has recorded only 80,000 Covid deaths in two months.

Experts say that patients die at home and that the cause of death of people who died from covid is not written.

"With continuous efforts to optimize Covid -19 prevention and control measures since November 2022, China's Covid -19 response has made a smooth transition in a relatively short time," China's Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) said in a meeting on Thursday.

"A major decisive victory in epidemic prevention and control has been achieved," it said, adding that China's efforts led to more than 200 million people getting medical treatment, including nearly 800,000 severe cases.

But according to state media, the leaders said the virus is still spreading and mutating globally, yet the situation continues to improve.

(Reuters)