China's data does not show the real situation
Beijing has only recorded 22 deaths since December
The criteria for classifying deaths were changed
China's official data does not reflect the true impact of the coronavirus outbreak in the country, the World Health Organization (WHO) has claimed.
WHO emergency director Mike Ryan said the current figures released by Beijing do not reflect the true situation in terms of hospital admissions, ICU admissions and deaths.
The comments come as more countries impose travel restrictions on visitors from China following a sharp rise in Covid infections in the country.
According to state media citing a doctor at a leading Shanghai hospital, 70% of the city's population may now have been infected with the coronavirus.
In addition, international health experts predict at least one million Covid-related deaths in China this year if no immediate action is taken.
Even so, official data from Beijing only recorded 22 deaths from the outbreak since December with reduced criteria for classifying such deaths.
It only takes into account cases involving pneumonia or respiratory failure due to Covid in its death reports, meaning its own official statistics do not reflect the true reality.
Meanwhile, UN agencies will meet again with Chinese scientists on Thursday as part of a wider briefing among member states on the global Covid-19 situation.
