News of rising Covid cases in China is concerning, says Adar Poonawalla

Serum Institute of India chief Adar Poonawalla has said that news of the latest Covid-19 outbreak in China is concerning, but India does not need to panic given its excellent vaccination coverage.

India has administered over 2.19 billion doses of Covid vaccines since last year – including Covishield, which is produced by the Serum Institute of India at its Pune facility. Meanwhile, in neighbouring China, an estimated 89.7% of the population has been vaccinated, but Chinese cities are now grappling with a fresh outbreak.

Experts are concerned that 60% of China’s population could be infected by the virus in a fresh wave that could lead to the death of millions.

“The news of rising COVID cases coming out of China is concerning, we need not panic given our excellent vaccination coverage and track record,” wrote Adar Poonawalla in a tweet this morning, adding that the public must continue to trust and follow the preventive measures laid down by the government.

“We must continue to trust and follow the guidelines set by the Government of India and Ministry of Health,” said Poonawalla.
China is seeing a surge in Covid-19 cases after the government lifted a host of restrictions and isolation protocols. China’s U-turn on Covid policies came after widespread protests erupted in several cities in November.