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No significant change observed in clinical severity of the COVID-19: China CDC researcher

Global Times

By Global Times Published: May 20, 2025 07:42 PM

A researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) said on Tuesday that recent COVID-19 outbreaks in some countries and regions have shown a slight upward trend, but there has been no significant change in the clinical severity of the disease.

An Zhijie, a researcher at China CDC, made the remarks during a press conference held by the National Health Commission on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, An outlined several measures to prevent respiratory infectious diseases.

First, as international travel is currently quite common, individuals are advised to plan their time wisely and stay informed about the disease prevalence in their destination in advance. Additionally, during long-distance travel or prolonged use of enclosed transportation such as planes or trains, wearing a mask is recommended, especially for elderly individuals, who should pay extra attention to personal protection.

It is also important to maintain good personal hygiene habits in daily life, such as frequent handwashing and proper ventilation. For vulnerable groups with weaker immunity, including young children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic diseases, vaccination against relevant respiratory infectious diseases is recommended.

"Lastly, we recommend maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in moderate exercise, and getting sufficient rest to foster a healthy lifestyle and strengthen the body's immunity," An said.

Previously, China's top epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan gave his latest assessment of the COVID-19 trends on Monday to a local media outlet in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province.

Zhong said that the public need not panic but should remain vigilant, particularly high-risk groups such as those aged 65 and older or individuals with underlying health conditions. These groups should strengthen protective measures and seek early medical intervention upon diagnosis to prevent progression to severe illness, reported The Paper.

"From March to May, China's COVID-19 positivity rate rose from 6.5 percent to 16.5 percent, making it the leading cause of infections among fever clinic patients and those with viral illnesses," Zhong said. "This upward trend is not limited to China but is also being observed in countries and regions such as Singapore, Brazil, Italy, and the UK. Overall, COVID-19 is gradually becoming a periodically prevalent respiratory disease."

"We have developed a predictive model to assess the epidemic situation, which indicates the current wave is expected to end around late June. We are currently in the ascending phase and will gradually approach the peak," said Zhong, according to Nanfang Daily.

Zhong said the dominant circulating strain is the XDV variant, which causes notably severe sore throat symptoms. Compared with previous waves, this COVID-19 surge shows little difference in early symptoms. Patients typically experience fever, headache, general fatigue, and sore throat. However, clinical observations suggest throat pain symptoms are more pronounced this time, along with increased coughing.