2 COVID-19 deaths reported in Beijing as virus surges

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese health authorities have reported the nation’s first COVID-19 deaths in more than two weeks. The two deaths in Beijing come as the illness is surging after China eased the strict “zero-COVID” approach it credits with keeping its toll low. Although the official statistics are changing very little, families and funeral workers say deaths tied to COVID-19 have been increasing. As part of its eased policies, China no longer requires mass testing and it’s not reporting those who test positive without symptoms. The lack of data makes it difficult to grasp the scale of the outbreak or its direction. Anecdotal evidence points to a growing caseload, while health experts project a possible major wave in the coming weeks.