Medical firms ramping up supply of kits, drugs

Move comes amid surge in respiratory illnesses across nation

Medical product companies are accelerating efforts to increase the supply of diagnostic kits and essential drugs amid rising cases of respiratory illnesses, as local hospitals in China battle to contain the surge.

Data from the Chinese National Influenza Center show that the positivity rate of influenza across China continued to rise from Nov 27 to Dec 3. The country reported 420 influenza outbreaks during the period, compared with 401 for the previous seven days. According to the National Health Commission, by Dec 10, the number of visits to large hospitals by patients, especially children with respiratory illness was gradually falling.

During peak time, while hospital visits to treat respiratory infections among adults and children have spiked, those suffering from moderate to mild symptoms prefer self-diagnosis and treatment at home.