China reports huge rise in COVID-related deaths after data criticism

"The reported data indicate a decline in case numbers, hospitalizations, and those requiring critical care," it said, commenting on Beijing's numbers. China, which last reported daily COVID death figures on Monday, has repeatedly defended the veracity of its data on the disease. Last month, a Chinese health expert at a government news conference said only deaths caused by pneumonia and respiratory failure after contracting COVID would be classified as COVID deaths. "The reported data indicate a decline in case numbers, hospitalizations, and those requiring critical care," it said, commenting on Beijing's numbers. China, which last reported daily COVID death figures on Monday, has repeatedly defended the veracity of its data on the disease.