Experts call for more prevention, treatment for COVID cases

One of China's leading respiratory disease experts has called on authorities to step up prevention and treatment efforts for COVID-19 and influenza, warning that COVID infections remain at a high level across the country.

According to data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the COVID-19 positivity rate among outpatient and emergency influenza-like illness cases nationwide rose from 7.5 percent to 16.2 percent between March 31 and May 4. Among hospitalized cases, the positivity rate increased from 3.3 percent to 6.3 percent over the same period.

Zhong Nanshan, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said individuals who test positive — especially seniors with underlying health conditions — should begin taking medication within the first 48 hours of symptom onset to prevent serious illness.