We all know how this went

Ya know... Maybe they really did have phenomenally low COVID numbers this whole time due to their aggressive lockdown policies. Maybe they "flattened the curve" very effectively, to the point that the main surge got pushed out this far.

edit2: format, spacing

At a press conference on 13 November 2023, Chinese authorities from the National Health Commission reported an increase in incidence of respiratory diseases in China. Chinese authorities attributed this increase to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the circulation of known pathogens such as influenza, mycoplasma pneumoniae (a common bacterial infection which typically affects younger children), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Authorities stressed the need for enhanced disease surveillance in healthcare facilities and community settings, as well as strengthening the capacity of the health system to manage patients.

On 22 November, WHO requested additional epidemiologic and clinical information, as well as laboratory results from these reported clusters among children, through the International Health Regulations mechanism. We have also requested further information about recent trends in the circulation of known pathogens including influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV and mycoplasma pneumoniae, and the current burden on health care systems. WHO is also in contact with clinicians and scientists through our existing technical partnerships and networks in China.

WHO statement on reported clusters of respiratory illness in children in northern China | 22 November 2023 https://www.who.int/news/item/22-11-2023-who-statement-on-reported-clusters-of-respiratory-illness-in-children-in-northern-china

Published Date: 2023-11-22 14:33:39 PST

Subject: PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed pneumonia - China (02): (BJ, LN) children, reported epidemic, comment

Archive Number: 20231122.8713277

https://promedmail.org/promed-post/?id=8713277

China sees mysterious pneumonia outbreak, hospitals flooded with patients [2:06 | Nov 22 2023 | WION] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI5TnlmQqCw

WHO pressing China for details on spike in cases of new virus [1:19 | Nov 24 2023 | ABC News] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEIWiv_DpV0

This is the best summary I could come up with:

SHANGHAI, Nov 24 (Reuters) - China called for vigilance on Friday as a surge of respiratory illness hit schools and hospitals and the World Health Organization, which has asked the government for disease data, said no unusual or novel pathogens had been detected.

China is grappling with a spike in respiratory illnesses as it enters its first full winter season since it lifted strict COVID-19 restrictions in December, with cases among children appearing especially high in northern areas like Beijing and Liaoning province where hospitals are warning of long waits.

The State Council said influenza would peak this winter and spring and mycoplasma pneumoniae infection would continue to be high in some areas in future.

The situation came into the spotlight this week when the WHO asked China for more information, citing a report by the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED) on clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children.

Both China and the WHO have faced questions about the transparency of reporting on the earliest COVID-19 cases that emerged in the central city of Wuhan in late 2019.

This month, authorities began issuing health advisories saying they were paying attention to the situation and warning the public of long waits and the risk of cross-infection at crowded hospitals but they have not imposed measures like the ones during the COVID pandemic, such as masks or closing schools.

The original article contains 503 words, the summary contains 227 words. Saved 55%. I'm a bot and I'm open source!

If it's not unknown, then what is it WHO?