China stats 'under-represent' true impact of Covid outbreak: WHO

14 Sept 09:56 Key points summarised by AI

The World Health Organization (WHO) criticized China's "very narrow" definition of Covid deaths, stating that official statistics significantly under-represent the true impact of the outbreak.
WHO officials, including emergencies director Michael Ryan, highlighted that China's current data fails to reflect actual hospital admissions, ICU cases, and particularly deaths, since Beijing lifted its hardline restrictions.
China's criteria for classifying Covid fatalities, requiring respiratory failure, is deemed "too narrow" by the WHO, especially amidst reports of overwhelmed hospitals and crematoriums.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged China to provide more rapid, regular, and reliable data on hospitalizations, deaths, and comprehensive real-time viral sequencing to enable robust risk assessments.
The WHO acknowledged and understood why several countries are implementing new Covid restrictions on travelers from China, citing the high virus circulation and the lack of comprehensive data.

Lamphun in a New Light

Today 15:02 Key points summarised by AI

Lamphun illuminates its ancient city with two concurrent light festivals: the high-tech VIJIT Thailand @ LAMPHUN and the traditional Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival.
VIJIT Thailand @ LAMPHUN transforms historic landmarks into an outdoor gallery, using projections and multimedia to animate Lamphun's history, including Queen Chamadevi's story.
The Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival, part of Yi Peng, fills temples and streets with countless traditional lanterns, symbolizing Buddhist devotion and personal wishes.
These festivals offer a unique after-dark experience, blending contemporary light art with centuries-old Lanna traditions, connecting visitors to Lamphun's past and faith.