China braces itself for fresh Covid-19 wave: Empty shelves in pharmacies, long lines at fever clinics

Empty shelves at a pharmacy and a crammed waiting room in the fever clinic of a children's hospital in Beijing on Friday. - Pic by DANSON CHEONG, The Straits Times/ANN

BEIJING, Dec 10 (The Straits Times/ANN): China is bracing itself for a fresh wave of infections, two days after the national health authority abruptly dismantled stringent Covid-19 protocols, ending its zero-tolerance approach to the virus.

This has sparked concerns that the restrictions were relaxed without sufficient notice or preparation. Doubts have also been raised about the true infection numbers since testing and reporting protocols were relaxed.