A top doctor in China's pandemic fight who came under pressure last year for questioning the country's zero-Covid policy has called again for balancing anti-virus measures with maintenance of normal life as China struggles with an Omicron surge.

Shanghai infectious disease expert Zhang Wenhong — who has been called “China's Fauci” after US disease expert Anthony Fauci — also said in a blog post that the city's medical resources were becoming “strained” as cases climb, but he expects the metropolis to turn the corner soon.

Zhang's comments may indicate officials' growing tolerance for those questioning zero-Covid as patience with draconian lockdowns wears thin.

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