COVID-19 pandemic Archives

Infection Rate of COVID-19 Shows Downward Trend in China

A report from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention on January 15 showed that, based on optional nucleic acid testing data, positive cases across the country have showed a clear trend of increasing then decreasing since December 9 of last year.

Two COVID Drugs Added to China’s Public Health Insurance Scheme

A final list of drugs to be included in China's public health insurance scheme was released on January 18. A total of 111 drugs had been added to the catalogue, and that three drugs had been dropped.

China Accepts Junshi Biosciences’ COVID-19 Drug Application

Junshi Biosciences, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, announced on January 18 that the country's medical products authorities had accepted a new drug application for Deuremidevir Hydrobromide Tablets (project code: JT001/VV116) for the treatment of COVID-19.

Pfizer and Chinese Authorities Fail to Reach Deal on COVID Pill Paxlovid

Talks between Chinese regulators and US pharmaceutical company Pfizer regarding the potential inclusion of Paxlovid, an orally administered COVID-19 medication, in the country's public health insurance scheme have broken down.

Alibaba Provides Free COVID-19 Consultation and Medical Training for China’s Rural Areas

Hangzhou-based tech giant Alibaba has launched a special campaign to provide free COVID-19 consultation services for rural areas, support the training of grassroots medical staff, and donate urgently needed medicines and medical devices to 22 underdeveloped counties across the country.

Huawei Responds to Reports of Smart Watch Measuring a Sausage’s Heart Rate

A Chinese web user posted that they had put Huawei's smart watch product on a ham sausage, and it actually showed blood oxygen saturation data.

Pfizer’s COVID Pill Paxlovid Price Soars Amid Skyrocketing Demand and Supply Shortages

Due to the rapid increase of COVID-19 infection cases in China, the demand for Pfizer's pill Paxlovid has also greatly increased. As the drug is being hyped by drug scalpers, the price of Paxlovid on third-party channels has climbed to tens of thousands of yuan, which is nearly six times more expensive than the normal price of 2,000 yuan ($287).

China to Drop COVID-19 Cross-Border Travel Restrictions

China's National Health Commission announced in a statement on December 26 that mandatory testing and quarantine for international arrivals will be canceled and Chinese citizens' outbound tourism will be resumed in an orderly manner.

China’s Logistics Networks Under Strain as COVID Spreads Widely

As COVID-19 cases rise rapidly in China following a loosening of pandemic control measures, the country's logistics networks are now facing unprecedented challenges.

Chinese Structural Biologist Nieng Yan Says Family Among Reasons for Return Home

Nieng Yan, a Chinese structural biologist and dean of the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation, stated in a December 18 Weibo post that family is one of the main reasons behind her recent return to China, also discussing her parents' experience of being infected by COVID-19.

SF Express’ Online Service Returns to Normal after Brief Outage

On the afternoon of December 12, Chinese logistics service provider SF Express emerged as a trending topic on Chinese social media outlet Weibo because its mini program and PC page crashed. After some emergency repairs, the company's services went back to normal.

China Faces Lack of Antigen Test Kits and COVID Medicine After Lifting Restrictions

With the recent relaxation of the Chinese government's zero COVID policy, drugs for flu symptoms and fever such as Ibuprofen and Lianhua Qingwen, antigen test kits and vitamin C tablets are out of stock in pharmacies and e-commerce platforms.

NIO’s Vehicle Factory Suspends Production Due to Pandemic, Deliveries Affected

Due to COVID-19 pandemic prevention requirements, two factories in Hefei, Anhui Province of NIO, a leading Chinese new energy automobile manufacturer, have stopped production recently. As a result, delivery of its models will be delayed.

Disrupted Production at Foxconn’s iPhone Plant in China to Have Heavy Impact

Crowds of Foxconn employees walked along the highway to their hometowns due to an outbreak of COVID-19 cases at the world's largest iPhone manufacturing facility in Zhengzhou. This factory is currently the leading source of employment in the central Chinese city of over 10 million people.

Xinjiang Officials Refute Claims Travelers Stranded by COVID to Take Up Local Work

Various Chinese social media accounts spread a message recently stating that travelers stranded in Xinjiang due to an ongoing surge in COVID cases could consider finding jobs in the local area. Local authorities said the message was a misinterpretation of the current situation.