The World Health Organization (WHO) met with Chinese officials on Friday to discuss the explosion in the number of COVID-19 cases in their country, calling on them to share data in real time so that other countries can react effectively.

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“A high-level meeting was held on December 30 between WHO and China regarding the current upsurge in COVID-19 cases, in order to obtain further information on the situation and offer expertise and support from WHO,” the UN health agency said in a statement.

“WHO has again requested the regular sharing of specific and real-time data on the epidemiological situation, including more data on genetic sequencing and on the impact of the disease, including hospitalizations, admissions to units intensive care and deaths”, according to the press release.

She also called for data on vaccinations carried out and vaccination status, in particular among vulnerable people and those over 60, continued the WHO.

The talks came after a week in which WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged Chinese authorities to be more open about the Covid situation.

China's surge in infections has sparked global concerns and questions over reporting, with official case and death figures low while some hospitals and morgues are overwhelmed.