Workers at crematoriums in Beijing said they are overwhelmed as Covid-19 cases have surged in China, according to a report by leading news agency AFP.

One of the Beijing crematoriums told AFP that there was a week-long waiting list for a spot due to the surge in the number of deaths in the capital.

As many as 30,000 cases oof fresh coronavirus cases a day are being reported and the Chinese authorities fear that the situation could spin out of control as people return to their rural hometowns during the upcoming New Year’s Day and Lunar New Year celebrations.

Chinese authorities have expedited vaccination of its most vulnerable people on Thursday to tackle the next wave of infections. Some analysts expect the death toll to soar as draconian controls that had kept the pandemic in check for three years have been lifted after widespread protests in the country.

The World Health Organisation also raised concerns that China’s 1.4 billion population was not adequately vaccinated.