• China’s health system is already showing signs of being quickly overburdened.
• Local governments have been asked to renovate their intensive care units and launch fever clinics by the end of the month.
• People are panic buying medications in preparation of a winter wave, experts say.

After easing some of its strictest Covid-19 regulations last week, China is already having issues with stockpiling.

In response to claims of shortages, people have been racing to buy ibuprofen, cold medications, and Covid testing kits.

The availability of products for home treatments, such as electrolyzed water and vitamin C-rich canned peaches and lemons, has significantly decreased online.

Although hoarding has long been a problem, this may be the first incident since lockdowns were relaxed.

In China, as elsewhere in the world, it has been common to see people sharing pictures online of bare grocery aisles in major cities ahead of strict “stay at home” orders being imposed.

However, since track-and-trace regulations have been relaxed and people are now permitted to self-isolate at home and self-test for the virus, it appears that many are panic buying medications in preparation of a winter wave.

To “be ready for waves of illness,” local governments have been asked to renovate their intensive care units and launch fever clinics by the end of the month.

The health system is already showing signs of being quickly overburdened. This week, videos showing patients being hooked up to IV drips from their cars have been making the rounds.

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