In late May, the coronavirus experienced a seasonal resurgence in many parts of China. Radio Free Asia's interviews revealed that residents from Hubei, Jiangxi, and Shandong provinces have noticed a simultaneous rise in both the number of colds and confirmed cases, and a significant increase in mask-wearing rates compared to April. While officials have stated there's "no need to panic," they haven't released detailed figures.
The number of COVID-19 infections continues to rise in many parts of China. Zhao Zhi, a resident of Wuhan, Hubei, told Radio Free Asia on Monday (May 19) that he has recently seen "many more flu patients" at the hospital, and that the hospital is still routinely conducting nucleic acid tests on patients with fevers. "I've been to the hospital recently and have seen a lot more flu patients. The hospital is doing nucleic acid tests on patients. Many of those who tested positive have been wearing masks when going out, and some have required hospitalization."
Mr. Dong, who lives in the same city, also confirmed that "there are obviously more people wearing masks" at the entrance of Hubei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine: "I am now in the hospital for treatment, and the streets are seeing the same 'mask trend' as before, and there are more people in the fever clinic."
When answering our inquiry that day, the Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention hotline staff confirmed that "the number of new coronavirus infections has increased recently" and reminded people with fever to "avoid crowds and wear masks when going out": "Regarding the recent increase in new coronavirus infections, if you have a fever or are infected, try to avoid going to crowded places when you go out, and wear a mask."
Over the past two months, monitoring data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that the wave of COVID-19 cases that began in late March is continuing, but its overall intensity is significantly lower than last summer's peak. Experts estimate that this wave will peak in late May, representing "normal seasonal fluctuations." The public should maintain protective measures and avoid excessive panic.
Local governments accused of downplaying the epidemic
Han Zhengyang, a teacher at Jingdezhen Middle School in Jiangxi Province, said in an interview with this station that there are "very many colds" in the area, and almost everyone wears a mask when going out, but the school has not yet shown any signs of suspending classes: "In April and May, there were a lot of people suffering from colds here, but whether they had the new coronavirus required going to the hospital for testing. The accuracy of the official data is questionable, but I personally believe that the district and county governments are downplaying the new coronavirus. If the epidemic is serious, our school will suspend classes and have holidays, but it has not yet been suspended."
From official surveillance to street observations, the current outbreak, which began in March, is on the rise, with both cases and the positive test rate likely to peak by the end of May. Experts urge that the "mask, handwashing, and ventilation" approach remains the most cost-effective and effective "three-piece kit" in public places. High-risk individuals should promptly receive updated vaccines targeting the JN.1 strain and seek medical attention as soon as symptoms develop.
Zeng Jian, a resident of Taixing, Jiangsu, told this station that although masks are common, social sentiment "has already treated the new coronavirus as a common flu": "Everyone now thinks that the new coronavirus is just like that, and no one is taking excessive precautions or going to the hospital for treatment."
Online discussion heats up over children hospitalized with COVID-19
Gao Mingsheng, a resident of Qingdao, Shandong, noticed recent discussions about the risk of reinfection in WeChat groups, but he remained unfazed. He told our station, "The epidemic has resurfaced recently, and I've seen more people wearing masks outside than in the past month. However, this wave of the epidemic hasn't caused panic in society. This may be because the news hasn't specifically reported on it. Most people in China make judgments based on news reports and don't think independently."
Jinan resident Wang Huan told this station that her youngest son was hospitalized in April for the flu, but was later diagnosed with COVID-19. She said, "Nowadays, the rate of COVID-19 testing high in adults and children with colds and fevers is relatively high. My youngest son was hospitalized in April and tested positive for COVID-19. Many children have been diagnosed with COVID-19 recently."
The positive rate doubled in two months, and experts said it would peak in late May.
According to data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, cited by China Business News on Sunday (the 18th), the COVID-19 positive rate among influenza-like cases in sentinel hospitals nationwide rose from 7.5% in the 14th week of March to 16.2% in the 18th week of April, with higher rates in the south than in the north. Li Dongzeng, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Beijing You'an Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University, predicted that the peak of this "six-monthly to annual" outbreak is expected to peak in late May, with the overall intensity being "lower than last summer."
Li Dongzeng analyzed that it has been more than half a year since the last large-scale infection, the group's antibodies have declined, and the immune escape of the Omicron XDV subbranch NB.1.8.1 has increased, as have the movement of people during the May Day holiday, all of which have pushed up the transmission speed.
As for whether the epidemic will trigger another widespread impact, Nanjing sociologist Zhong Tao told reporters that this depends on government transparency and the allocation of medical resources. Currently, Chinese society is still trying to find the right balance between downplaying the epidemic and maintaining vigilance in order to coexist with the coronavirus in the long term.
