Did the new COVID XBB subvariant already infect 65 million people per week in China in May? No, that's not true. NBC News and the Independent said that the number of 65 million per week could be reached when the current wave peaks at the end of June. Time Magazine quoted medical experts in China saying there were an estimated 40 million infections a week in the country in May, pointing out that Chinese officials expect that the number may climb to 65 million per week in June.
The claim appeared in a video (archived here) and was posted on TikTok on May 31, 2023 under the title "Urgent News: China shocks the world again. Virus XBB. The Corona virus will not end. Be prepared for the new variant, Corona's brother".
At 18 seconds of the video, a commentator said in Arabic the following, which was translated into English by Lead Stories:
China frightens the world again. A ferocious viral wave batters the country. There are 65 million patients in one week. Yes, the number is correct... It seems that the second part of the (pandemic) play has begun; and China is the best threater to display it.
This is how the post appeared at the time of writing:
(Image source: TikTok screenshot taken on Wed May 31 13:55:09 2023 UTC)
Xinhua News reported that the overall Coronavirus infections in China have "entered a low prevalence level since mid-May, and the vast majority of COVID-19 patients show mild symptoms," the agency said, quoting medical experts.
"Despite a recent increase, the total number of fever clinic patients is far less than that during the peak of the previous infection wave, and most of the patients only have mild symptoms," the agency said, quoting Wang Liping, a researcher with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Spotlight on China confirmed on 26 May 2023 on Twitter that the number could climax at the end of June, explaining that experts anticipate the Corona virus cases to peak this summer.
China to record 65 million cases weekly by the end of June with XBB variant
Experts are anticipating COVID cases in China to peak this summer with a resurgence of cases spearheaded by Omicron variant XBB
