The abrupt conclusion of mass testing and quarantines, which followed nearly three years of attempts to eradicate the virus, resulted in a similar decline in officially recorded infections, which had just reached an all-time high last month.
The NHC issued a statement saying, “Many asymptomatic individuals are no longer participating in nucleic acid testing, hence it is impossible to correctly understand the true number of asymptomatic infected individuals.”
According to state media, Vice Premier Sun Chunlan had earlier said that new illnesses in the capital were “rapidly spreading.”
Chinese leaders are adamant about moving through with opening; on Tuesday, Beijing’s tourist bureau announced that it would resume allowing tour groups into and out of the city.
But the nation is dealing with an increase in cases.