'We are ready' for downgrade of COVID-19 management, vice-minister says

China's move to downgrade the management of COVID-19 from category A to category B — a major adjustment to China's epidemic control policy — was well-timed, a senior health official said.

Li Bin, vice-minister of the National Health Commission, said at a news conference on Tuesday that since placing the management of COVID-19 in category A in 2020, the country has withstood five waves of the epidemic and has helped its people avoid being infected by stronger variants of the virus. It has also bought time for China to prepare its medical resources.

"By evaluating factors including viral mutations, epidemic situations and disease control capability, China has met the basic requirements for downgrading management. The decision was made because we are ready," Li said.

The dominant Omicron strain is highly infectious, but the rates of severe illnesses and deaths are extremely low. Also, China has distributed over 3.4 billion COVID-19 doses and has fully vaccinated more than 92 percent of people age 3 and above, he added.

The adjustment is aimed at controlling outbreaks more precisely and scientifically, and at making more efficient use of resources to balance epidemic containment and socioeconomic development, Li said.

"More epidemic control resources will be used to help those who are vulnerable, including the elderly, pregnant women and children," he said.

Li said downgrading the disease does not mean the virus will be left to run rampant, as the pandemic is still ongoing and there is still uncertainty about its development.