China is facing a new peak of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) outbreak, with academician Zhong Nanshan from the Chinese Academy of Engineering stating that the epidemic is in an upward trend; clinical responses show that after infection, there is a severe sore throat resembling “blade throat” and cough symptoms are more pronounced.
According to reports from mainland Chinese media, on May 19, Zhong Nanshan mentioned in an interview in Guangzhou that this round of COVID-19 infections poses a certain danger to elderly people aged 65 and above with underlying conditions. He speculated that the epidemic is currently in the climbing phase.
The predominant strain in this epidemic wave is the Omicron XDV variant. Zhong Nanshan said that compared to previous outbreaks, this round of the epidemic shows similar early symptoms, including fever, headache, overall fatigue, and sore throat. However, the clinical response this time shows more pronounced symptoms of “blade throat” and increased coughing.
A netizen left a comment saying, “A colleague coughed loudly during lunch a few days ago, and I thought she had choked on something, but it turns out it was a residual effect of this new round of COVID-19. When asked about her main symptoms this time, she answered, ‘blade throat.'”
“Experiencing blade throat these past two days, feeling utterly weak…””Being attacked by blade throat after noon, throat swollen and painful, finding a quick remedy.””The recent new virus is still somewhat frightening. If anyone experiences blade throat or severe high fever, please make sure to go to the hospital for treatment immediately.”
“COVID-19 is trending again.””COVID-19 has never actually left!””Surprisingly, COVID-19 has trended again. Many people are saying ‘COVID-19 is still around?’ ‘Is this a 2025 trend?’ But in reality, from December 2022 until now, according to the monthly COVID-19 report from the Chinese CDC, we are going through the 6th wave of the COVID-19 epidemic.”
Data released by the Chinese CDC shows a significant increase in positive COVID-19 test rates since April, with the nucleic acid test positivity rate for flu-like cases at outpatient and emergency departments rising from 7.5% to 16.2%; and the positivity rate for severe acute respiratory infection cases requiring hospitalization increasing from 3.3% to 6.3%.
As reported earlier by “China Business,” Dr. Li Tong, the head of the Infectious Diseases Department at Beijing You’an Hospital affiliated with the Capital Medical University, stated that the latest COVID-19 outbreak in China began in March and has been ongoing for nearly three months. It is expected to peak in late May.