China’s health service under pressure as Covid infections surge

China is dealing with a new wave of coronavirus infections, following the country’s removal of its strict zero-Covid rules.

Omicron is spreading rapidly and the health service is under strain, with reports of overcrowding in hospitals and retired medical staff returning to work.

But establishing how big the outbreak is not easy, and there is scepticism about figures released by the authorities. Mass testing in the country has stopped, and only 16 Covid deaths have been recorded in China in the past month.