03:03China: 'Possibility of local pandemic extremely low' - health official amid Omicron sub-variant concerns
A Chinese health official refuted claims a new Omicron sub-variant was the cause for concern as the country saw a massive increase in outbound and ingoing travellers after its border openings.
"In the short term or quite a long term, the immune system has an immune memory for COVID-19 infection, which is reflected in that we can produce high levels of neutralizing antibodies," said Chen Cao, a researcher at the Institute of Viral Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention when asked about the XBB.1.5 Omicron sub-variant of COVID-19.
"Even if there is a new Omicron mutant, the possibility of causing a local pandemic is extremely low," added Chen.
Officials also reported an almost 50 percent increase in the number of border entries and exits after Sunday when China re-opened its borders after three years of strict COVID controls.
The country eased many of its 'zero-COVID' policies on December 7, 2022, following a series of protests as well as rising economic and social costs. While Beijing has been sharing its infection data with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the UN-led organ has said China is massively underreporting its number of COVID-related deaths.
03:03A Chinese health official refuted claims a new Omicron sub-variant was the cause for concern as the country saw a massive increase in outbound and ingoing travellers after its border openings.
"In the short term or quite a long term, the immune system has an immune memory for COVID-19 infection, which is reflected in that we can produce high levels of neutralizing antibodies," said Chen Cao, a researcher at the Institute of Viral Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention when asked about the XBB.1.5 Omicron sub-variant of COVID-19.
"Even if there is a new Omicron mutant, the possibility of causing a local pandemic is extremely low," added Chen.
Officials also reported an almost 50 percent increase in the number of border entries and exits after Sunday when China re-opened its borders after three years of strict COVID controls.
The country eased many of its 'zero-COVID' policies on December 7, 2022, following a series of protests as well as rising economic and social costs. While Beijing has been sharing its infection data with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the UN-led organ has said China is massively underreporting its number of COVID-related deaths.