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The number of deaths from Covid-19 in China has fallen by nearly 80 percent since the beginning of the month.

This was reported by AFP, citing a statement from the authorities.

The data are a sign that the country's unprecedented surge in infections may have begun to slow.

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A wave of virus cases has swept the world's most populous nation since Beijing abruptly ended its zero-Covid policy last month.

Beijing's figures are believed to represent only a fraction of the true number, given China's narrow definition of a Covid death and official estimates that a large proportion of the population is infected.

Last week, the CDC said nearly 13,000 people died of Covid-related illnesses between January 13 and 19, adding to a previous report that about 60,000 people lost their battle with the virus in hospitals in just over a month.

But recent reports from local authorities and media reports suggest the wave may have begun to recede after its peak in late December and early January, when hospitals and crematoriums were full.

There were 896 deaths attributed to the virus in hospitals as of Monday, a 79 percent drop from Jan. 4, the Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a statement on Wednesday.

China reported nearly 13,000 new covid-related deaths

Serious hospital cases also fell to 36,000 by Monday, a 72 percent drop from a high of 128,000 on Jan. 5, the CDC said.

The announcement came during China's biggest public holiday, the Lunar New Year.

Authorities have previously warned that a period of mass travel and social gatherings could trigger another spike in infections.

As of Tuesday, some 664 million trips had been made nationwide during the Lunar New Year travel period, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

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