The number of critically ill people from the coronavirus in China has decreased by 72 percent compared to the peak of the epidemic at the beginning of the month, and the number of deaths by 79 percent, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced today. One of the country's leading scientists has said that 80 percent of China's 1,4 billion people have been infected and that he does not expect a major wave of Covid-19 in the next two to three months.

In December, China abruptly lifted its zero-covid policy, after which the spread of the infection flared up, peaking on January 4 with 128.000 new infections, before the number fell to 36.000 on January 23. The spread of Covid-19 occurred after the lifting of restrictions on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Deaths peaked on Jan. 4 with 4.273 deaths, and by Jan. 23 that number had fallen to 869. Hospitalizations fell 96,2 percent, from 2.867 million on Dec. 22 to 110.000 on Jan. 23.

After the zero-covid policy was lifted, authorities in China announced on January 12 that nearly 60.000 people had died.