Debate erupts over China’s ‘zero covid’ strategy after woman miscarries at hospital gates

The miscarriage of a pregnant Chinese woman who was denied medical treatment due to the COVID-19 lockdown has stirred up debate over China’s zero-tolerance approach towards covid. As per reports,

The miscarriage of a pregnant Chinese woman who was denied medical treatment due to the COVID-19 lockdown has stirred up debate over China’s zero-tolerance approach towards covid.

As per reports, the woman who was eight-month pregnant was denied entry into a hospital in the city of Xi’an without covid-19 testing. The woman reportedly miscarried outside the hospital due to strict lockdown measures.

The woman’s niece shared the upsetting incident in a social media post on January 1, which included photos and video of the woman sitting on a plastic stool outside the hospital, surrounded by a pool of blood.

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Soon the post went viral, it sparked widespread outrage online about the difficulties faced by the Xi’an residents.

It may be mentioned that China, where the highly contagious coronavirus was discovered in 2019, is one among the last countries to adhere to “Zero Covid,” placing millions of people in quarantine even as it prepares to host the Winter Olympics next month.

What is China’s ‘zero Covid’ policy and how the country is maintaining it?

According to the Chinese government, this policy has helped to contain more than 30 Covid-19 outbreaks, including some caused by the more contagious delta variant.

To prevent the infection from spreading, strict measures such as mass testing, lockdowns, and extensive quarantines are in place.

China uses the “dynamic zero” formula: tight lockdowns and immediate mass testing to curb outbreaks.

In contrast to other places where lockdowns are softer, people in China can be banned from leaving their buildings or forced to remain inside their rooms if they are deemed high-risk contacts.

The city of Xi’an, which is home to the famous Terracotta Warriors, was closed down in December forcing its 13 million residents to stay indoors after 150 cases were reported.

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However, the “Zero Covid” comes at a cost. Lockdowns have been almost constant near Myanmar’s border, following that businesses in the areas have been forced to flee.

Meanwhile, the travel rules and restrictions have separated migrant workers from their families for months. Locked-down communities have complained about a lack of food, supplies, and medical care.

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