The journalist was jailed for her coverage of China’s initial response to Covid in Wuhan.

In a statement, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said: "The United States is deeply concerned about the deteriorating health of PRC citizen journalist Ms. Zhang Zhan."

"According to multiple reports citing her relatives’ comments, Ms. Zhang is nearing death. In December of 2020, Beijing authorities sentenced Ms. Zhang to four years in prison on charges associated with her journalism on COVID-19 in Wuhan," he said.

"The United States, along with other diplomatic missions – we have repeatedly expressed our serious concerns about the arbitrary nature of her detention and her mistreatment during it. We reiterate our call to the PRC for her immediate and unconditional release and for Beijing to respect a free press and the right of people to express themselves freely," he said.

Zhang Zhan, who is also a former lawyer, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment by Shanghai's Pudong District People's Court on Dec. 28, 2020.

Zhang's brother Zhang Ju expressed his fear on Twitter and posted: "Zhan is 177cm tall, now she is less than 40kg wt. She may not survive the coming cold winter. I hope the world remember how she used to be.[sic]"

Zhang Zhan's mother had a video call with her daughter on Oct. 28, and told RFA that her health seems to have deteriorated.

"She can't walk unassisted now, and her head keeps drooping as she speaks," her mother told RFA. "She will be in huge danger if they don't release her on medical parole."