
Audio By Carbonatix
A 26-year-old Chinese man was recently labeled Wuhan’s fattest person after gaining a whopping 100 kilograms during the city’s five-month lockdown.
The man, referred to only as Zhou, to protect his privacy, wasn’t exactly fir before the coronavirus started wreaking havoc in Wuhan, prompting the authorities to impose a strict lockdown.
But at least he kept his weight in check, worked at a local cafe and lead a relatively normal lifestyle. But that all changed when Zhou started spending most of his time indoor.
Unable to burn off any calories, he started gaining weight, and in a few months’ time he had ballooned to 616 pounds (280 kilograms), over 200 pounds more than he weighed before the Covid-19 epidemic.

Zhou’s shocking case was revealed last week, by one of the doctors who treated him at the Wuhan University Central South Hospital, a long with photos of his admission, on June 1st.
He reportedly told doctors that he had not left his home since before the lockdown, in January, and that his weight had made it impossible for him to sleep comfortably anymore, which was why he finally asked for medical assistance.
“Doctor, I haven’t closed my eyes for 48 hours. It’s so uncomfortable. Can you help me?” Zhou allegedly asked Dr Li Zhen, the deputy director of the Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Center of the Central South Hospital of Wuhan University. By that point, he had already contacted other doctors, who had refused to assist him because of his extreme weight.

After a team of paramedics struggled to get Zhou out of his home and into an ambulance, he was admitted in the ICU, where initial tests revealed various symptoms, such as heart failure and respiratory dysfunction.
Unfortunately, his size made it hard for doctors to conduct other needed tests, like blood pressure and EEG. For 10 days, doctors tried to stabilize him, and on June 11 he was declared stable and out of immediate danger.
Dr. Li Zhen said that the patient’s obesity was caused by genetic factors and endocrine abnormalities exacerbated by his inactivity and increased calorie intake during Wuhan’s five-month lockdown. He had his team are hopeful that Zhou will be able to lose at least 50 pounds so he can safely undergo a gastric bypass or stomach reduction surgery to help him shed most of the excess weight.
“I can only hope that by adjusting diet and rest and other methods, it (body weight) can reduce more than 50 pounds in three months so that the risk of surgery will be greatly reduced,” the doctor said.
As someone who has put on some serious weight during these trying w months, I can totally relate to Zhou, although 100 kilograms seems like a lot…
Latest Stories
-
Sammi Awuku slams latest utility tariff hikes amid rising cost of living
2 minutes -
FoSCel raises alarm over surge in sickle cell crises during rainy season
8 minutes -
The Sky Is Not Our Enemy: A royal call to end the betrayal of our lands and waters
12 minutes -
2026 U17 WWCQ: Black Maidens arrive in Dakar ahead of Senegal qualifier
15 minutes -
Moral renewal, not policy alone, will transform Ghana – Apostle Nyamekye
22 minutes -
Amin Adam endorses Paul Afoko for NPP National Chairman
28 minutes -
When Prime Real Estate becomes a prime flood risk: Lessons from the June 29 floods
1 hour -
How dance and creative arts are transforming rehabilitation in Ghana’s correctional centres
1 hour -
‘Be apostles of ethical finance’- Ghana’s banking leaders return from Malaysia with a mission
2 hours -
Over 6,000 security service applicants fail first-ever drug screening – NACOC
2 hours -
Ghanaian extradited to US admits role in $4.4m romance fraud, agrees to pay restitution
2 hours -
Today’s front pages: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
2 hours -
Telecel expands Ashanti impact, adopts Kumasi South Mother and Baby Unit
4 hours -
OMCs slash fuel prices as GOIL leads with petrol at GH¢12.79
4 hours -
MOBA Golf Club launches invitational as part of Mfantsipim School 150th Anniversary
4 hours