China Faces Flu Outbreak Amid Lockdowns

By Webcab Last updated Mar 11, 2023

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In recent news, China is facing a significant flu outbreak that has picked up intensity over the past week. Bloomberg reported that the northwestern city of Xi’an imposed a pandemic-style lockdown to curb the surge in infections, similar to the measures used to curb Covid-19.

Flu positivity rate on the rise

According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the positivity rate for flu has jumped to 41.6% this week, up from 25.1% the previous week, while the Covid positivity rate decreased to 3.8% from 5.1%. This surge in flu cases is alarming authorities, especially since the positivity rate has been increasing for six consecutive weeks.

Lockdowns and response

To combat the flu outbreak, the city of Xi’an implemented emergency measures, including school and business closures, similar to their response to Covid-19. Xi’an has a population of nearly 13 million residents who were previously locked down for a month in 2021 due to Covid-19. However, the authorities’ decision to impose lockdowns has been criticized by residents.

Residents argue for vaccination

On China’s version of Twitter- Weibo, residents argued that it would be better to vaccinate rather than initiate lockdowns. With many questioning the effectiveness of lockdowns, some residents are calling for a more proactive approach to preventing the spread of the flu.

Pharmacies struggling to keep up

This also comes amid reports that many pharmacies in China are finding it difficult to keep up with the demand for flu medications. With the flu positivity rate on the rise, the demand for flu medications has surged, leading to supply shortages and longer wait times for patients.

Conclusion

In conclusion, China is facing a significant flu outbreak that has led to the implementation of pandemic-style lockdowns in the city of Xi’an. With the positivity rate for flu on the rise and residents questioning the effectiveness of lockdowns, authorities will need to consider more proactive measures such as vaccination to prevent the further spread of the flu. As pharmacies struggle to keep up with the demand for flu medications, it is imperative that residents take precautions to prevent the spread of the flu.