China reports nearly 60,000 Covid-related deaths since shift from zero-Covid policy

China recorded almost 60,000 Covid-related deaths between December 8, 2022 and January 12, 2023, according to the country’s National Health Commission. The number released on January 14, 2023, was the first major death toll figure issued by Beijing since its abrupt shift away from a zero-Covid policy in early December. Health experts based outside China expressed doubts as to whether the death toll released by Beijing accurately reflected the situation on the ground.