China is likely to experience a new wave of Covid-19 cases in the near future, with the number of cases expected to peak at 65 million a week, according to a new report from consulting firm Deloitte China. The report, released this month, attributed the potential increase in cases to a combination of factors, including relaxed social distancing measures, the increasing prevalence of the virus among certain groups of people, and the spread of new variants.
The report noted that the Chinese government has taken additional measures to reduce transmission of the virus, such as mandating the wearing of face masks in public, tightening travel restrictions, and increasing testing. It also noted that the majority of new Covid-19 cases in China have been linked to international travellers.
The authors of the report warned that rising transmission rates have the potential to disrupt the country’s economy, noting that China is vulnerable to a new wave of cases despite the strong handling of the initial outbreak. They added that new outbreaks could have a significant impact on exports, tourism, and the overall health of the Chinese population.
The authors urged the Chinese government to balance economic growth with public health and modify their policies accordingly. They also called for an increase in public-awareness campaigns to encourage people to practice safe social distancing measures, proper hygiene practices, and increased testing.