China is currently battling the first of an expected three waves of COVID outbreaks, according to the country’s chief epidemiologist, Wu Zunyou.
On Dec. 7, China ended most of its zero-COVID restrictions due to widespread protests against the policy.
Since then China has seen a surge of new COVID cases, considered the first wave that will run from mid-December through mid-January.
On Saturday, chief epidemiologist Wu said he expects the COVID outbreak to peak this winter and run in three waves over the next three months.
On Jan. 21, China will celebrate Lunar New Year, the country’s most important holiday which sees hundreds of millions of people traveling home to meet their family.
The second wave is expected ahead of the holiday due to the massive movement of people, while the third wave after the holiday when people return to work.
