The number of patients treated in fever clinics at Chinese medical institutions has decreased since New Year’s Day. However, the COVID-19 infection outbreak in China may reappear in January, Chinese health officials stated on Sunday, according to the China-based Global Times. During a press briefing, National Health Commission spokesperson Mi Feng stated that the number of patients seen in fever clinics in health institutions across China has been fluctuating downward. Currently, respiratory disorders are primarily influenza-related, with COVID-19 infection at a low frequency.
According to recent data from the multi-channel monitoring system, the positive rate of COVID-19 virus testing in sentinel hospitals remained below 1% after the New Year’s Day holiday, while the proportion of the JN.1 variant strain increased, according to Wang Dayan, director of the China National Influenza Center, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC). According to a study in the Global Times, experts anticipate individuals in China will continue to face multiple respiratory diseases alternating or co-circulating during the winter and spring, with influenza viruses prevailing in the near term.
The COVID-19 outbreak may resurface in January due to the ongoing importation of the JN.1 variation strain
According to Wang, the COVID-19 outbreak may resurface in January due to ongoing importation of the JN.1 variation strain, a slow declining trend in domestic influenza, and a reduction in population immunity, with the JN.1 variant very likely to emerge as the dominant variety in China. Wang stated that the influenza season in China’s southern provinces began in early October, followed by the northern provinces in late October. Initially, the most circulating strain was the H3N2 subtype influenza virus. However, the proportion of influenza B virus in southern provinces has increased to 36.8 per cent during the last three weeks.
Wang stated that the influenza season in China’s southern provinces began in early October, followed by the northern provinces in late October. Initially, the most circulating strain was the H3N2 subtype influenza virus. However, the proportion of influenza B virus in southern provinces has increased to 36.8 per cent during the last three weeks. Meanwhile, the share in northern provinces has risen to 57.7% in the last five weeks. In some provinces, the proportion of influenza B virus has surpassed that of influenza A, according to Global Times. Wang said, “The immune response generated after contracting influenza A does not provide effective immune protection against influenza B, which means that even if one has had influenza A during the epidemic season, there is still a possibility of being infected with influenza B,” adding that high-risk individuals should receive influenza vaccination as early as possible every year.
It is crucial to aggressively allocate medical resources, optimize the medical treatment process, and ensure the availability of medical supplies
During a news conference on Sunday, Wang Guiqiang, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Peking University First Hospital, emphasized that winter is the peak season for respiratory infectious diseases, and immunity established after infection with various pathogens is not long-lasting, so repeated infections are possible. However, the symptoms of a second infection with the same bacteria are typically modest. Different pathogen infections may worsen the disease, especially if the upper respiratory mucosal barrier is damaged, which can lead to subsequent bacterial infections. Wang stated that infection with COVID-19 or influenza may exacerbate underlying problems in the elderly and those with underlying disorders. Wang advocated for more focus on early intervention and diagnosis of respiratory disorders.
Mi Feng emphasized the importance of strengthening monitoring and early warning systems as the winter vacation and Spring Festival approaches, as large-scale mobility and gatherings of people may accelerate the spread of respiratory infections. Furthermore, the elderly, pregnant women, toddlers, and patients with chronic underlying disorders should receive timely health consultation and referral guidance services, as well as convenient vaccination circumstances, according to a Global Times report. According to Mi, it is critical to aggressively allocate medical resources, optimize the medical treatment process, and ensure the availability of medical supplies.