COVID-19 infection is rising again? Expert: Expected to last for 6-8 weeks
May 16, 2025 13:01 Southern+
Is it sunny again? During this period, many netizens have shared screenshots of the "two stripes" on social media.
The monitoring data released by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention on May 8 showed that during the monitoring period (March 31 May 4), the positive rate of COVID-19 in emergency influenza like cases rose from 7.5% to 16.2%, and the positive rate of hospitalized cases rose from 3.3% to 6.3%. COVID-19 has become the first pathogen in outpatient and emergency visits.
Image source: China National Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Image source: Screenshot from China CDC
According to the data released by the Guangdong Provincial Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention, in April 2025 (from 0:00 on April 1 to 24:00 on April 30), the number of reported cases of novel coronavirus infection ranked first among Class B infectious diseases.
Is the small peak of COVID-19 infection coming again? Peng Jie, deputy director of the Department of Internal Medicine of Infection, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, said that the number of outpatients with respiratory symptoms showed an upward trend during this period, and the absolute number of COVID-19 positive patients increased. From the current clinical data, this round of COVID-19 infection is a natural phenomenon after the decline of antibody levels in people's bodies. The symptoms of infected people are lighter, but some patients with low immunity still need to be vigilant, such as the elderly over 60 years old and those with basic diseases. It is recommended that citizens wear masks when going out to avoid cross infection.
South+: What is the current status of fever clinic monitoring data?
Peng Jie: Early summer is the epidemic season of respiratory infectious diseases. In outpatient clinics, the number of patients with respiratory symptoms such as sore throat and cough increases, some of whom are infected with influenza virus, and some are infected with COVID-19.
South+: Are there many people infected with COVID-19?
Peng Jie: From the monitoring data of the hospital outpatient service, the positive detection rate of COVID-19 was about 7-8% in March, increased to about 15% in April, and further increased to 20-30% in May. Although the total number of patients has not changed much, the absolute number of COVID-19 positive patients is indeed increasing. This is consistent with the officially released data. The latest report shows that in April, the number of COVID-19 infection cases in the province reached 23188, which was five times higher than that in March (3548 cases).
South+: Why does this COVID-19 infection appear?
Peng Jie: The last small peak of COVID-19 occurred in July October 2024, half a year ago. With the reduction or disappearance of people's antibody level, a new wave of infection may occur. Therefore, this wave of disease is a natural phenomenon.
South+: In the future, will COVID-19 show seasonal characteristics like influenza virus?
Peng Jie: The fluctuation of COVID-19 incidence is different from that of influenza virus. Climate has relatively little impact on the transmission of COVID-19, which does not show significant seasonal differences.
South+: What are the characteristics of the symptoms of this round of COVID-19 infected people?
Peng Jie: On the one hand, immune escape is stronger: those who have previously tested positive or received vaccines may also be infected again; On the other hand, the symptoms are more like a cold: sore throat, low-grade fever, cough or no symptoms at all, which are easily overlooked. In conclusion, the symptoms of patients infected with COVID-19 are not significantly changed compared with those before, and there are few severe patients who need to be hospitalized.
Southern+: Symptoms are milder, can we take it lightly?
Peng Jie: Many people think that COVID-19 has become more "like a cold", so they don't pay attention to it, or even take it lightly. But we also need to be alert to the power of COVID-19. On the one hand, it may affect your physical strength and recovery for a longer time; On the other hand, it is also possible for you to inadvertently infect frail elderly, children, or chronic patients at home, causing serious consequences.
Southern Plus: Who are the high-risk groups in this fluctuating epidemic?
Peng Jie: There are mainly three types of people, namely, people over 60 years old, people with basic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tumor, etc.) and people with low immunity (such as cancer patients during chemotherapy and radiotherapy, organ transplant patients).
South+: What should we do if we suspect that we have won the COVID-19?
Peng Jie: In case of fever, sore throat, body aches and other symptoms, it is recommended to self test COVID-19 antigen first and take anti COVID-19 drugs as soon as possible.
Nanfang+: Do you have to use specific drugs to infect COVID-19?
Peng Jie: Early use of antiviral drugs after the diagnosis of COVID-19 can significantly shorten the course of disease. Antiviral drugs are most effective when used in the early stages of infection, as they can effectively inhibit virus replication, shorten the course of the disease, and reduce the risk of severe illness. From clinical observation, it has minimal side effects and good safety. The supply of specific anti COVID-19 drugs in medical institutions is sufficient. If no specific medication is taken, symptomatic treatment can also alleviate symptoms.
Southern Plus: When is it expected that this peak epidemic will pass?
Peng Jie: This epidemic should not last too long. The peak of infection is expected to reach around late May and last for 6-8 weeks overall. But ultimately, the authoritative judgment of the disease control department shall prevail.
South+: The Dragon Boat Festival holiday is coming soon. Is there anything I need to remind you of?
Peng Jie: It is recommended to wear masks scientifically in crowded places: masks should be worn throughout the entire medical process; It is recommended to wear masks in crowded places or when taking public transportation (such as airplanes, trains, subways, etc.), especially for the elderly and some patients with chronic underlying diseases, to reduce the risk of infection.
(Source: Southern+)
新冠感染再抬头？专家：预计持续6—8周时间
2025年05月16日 13:01 南方+
又阳了？这段时间，不少网友在社交媒体上晒出“两道杠”的截图。
中国疾控中心5月8日发布的监测数据显示，监测期内（3月31日—5月4日）急诊流感样病例中新冠阳性率由7.5%升至16.2%，住院病例阳性率由3.3%升至6.3%，新冠病毒已成门急诊就诊量首位病原体。
图源：中疾控
图源：中疾控截图
根据广东省疾病预防控制局公布数据，2025年4月（4月1日0时至4月30日24时），新型冠状病毒感染报告发病数居乙类传染病首位。
新冠感染小高峰又来了吗？南方医科大学南方医院感染内科副主任彭劼称，这段时间门诊有呼吸道症状的患者人数呈现上升趋势，其中新冠阳性患者的绝对数量有所增加。从目前临床数据来看，这一轮新冠感染是人们体内抗体水平下降后的自然现象，感染者症状更轻，但一些免疫力低下患者仍需警惕，如60岁以上老人、有基础病等，建议市民外出时佩戴口罩，避免交叉感染。
南方+：目前发热门诊监测数据情况如何？
彭劼：初夏是呼吸道传染病的流行季节，在门诊中，有呼吸道症状如咽痛、咳嗽的患者数量增多，其中有一些是感染了流感病毒，有些人是感染了新冠病毒。
南方+：感染新冠病毒的人多吗？
彭劼：从医院门诊监测数据来看，3月份新冠阳性检出率约为7%—8%，4月份升至15%左右，5月份进一步上升到20%—30%。虽然就诊总人数变化不大，但新冠阳性患者的绝对数量确实在增加。这与官方公布数据一致。最新报告显示，4月全省新冠感染发病数达23188例，较3月（3548例）环比增幅超五倍。
南方+：为何这一次新冠感染会出现？
彭劼：上一次新冠的小高峰发生在2024年7—10月，距今已过去半年，随着人们抗体水平的降低或消失，新一波感染就有可能发生，因此，此波发病属疾病的自然现象。
南方+：未来，新冠病毒是否与流感病毒一样，出现季节性特征？
彭劼：新冠病毒发病的波动现象，与流感病毒不同，气候对新冠病毒传播的影响相对较小，其未显示出明显的季节性差异。
南方+：这一轮新冠病毒感染者症状有什么特点？
彭劼：一方面，免疫逃逸更强：之前阳过或者打过疫苗的，也可能再次感染；另一方面， 症状更像感冒：嗓子痛、低烧、咳嗽或根本没症状，容易被忽视。总之，当前感染新冠的患者，症状与之前相比没有明显变化，需要住院的重症患者也很少。
南方+：症状更轻，是否可以掉以轻心？
彭劼：很多人都认为新冠已更“像一场感冒”，就对此不重视，甚至是掉以轻心。但我们还需要警惕新冠病毒的威力，一方面它可能影响你更长时间的体力和恢复；另一方面也可能在你不经意中传染给家中体弱的老人、孩子或慢性病人，带来严重后果。
南方+：在这一次波动疫情中，哪些是高风险人群？
彭劼：主要是有三类人，分别是60岁以上老人、有基础病（糖尿病、高血压、慢阻肺、肿瘤等）以及是免疫力低下者（如肿瘤放化疗期、器官移植患者）。
南方+：怀疑得了新冠，应如何办？
彭劼：若出现发热、咽痛、全身酸痛等症状，建议先自测新冠抗原，阳性尽早服用抗新冠药物。
南方+：感染新冠病毒，一定要用特效药吗？
彭劼：确诊新冠后尽早使用抗病毒药物，可显著缩短病程。抗病毒药物在感染早期使用效果最佳，能有效抑制病毒复制，缩短病程，降低重症风险。从临床观察来看，它的副作用较小，安全性良好。抗新冠病毒特效药，在医疗机构的供应是充足的。如果不服用特效药，对症治疗也可缓解症状。
南方+：这一次波峰疫情，预计什么时候会过去？
彭劼：这一次疫情应该不会持续太久。预计感染高峰预计在5月下旬前后达到顶点，整体持续6～8周。但最终以疾控部门的权威判断为准。
南方+：端午假期马上来临，请问有什么需要提醒？
彭劼：在人群密集的场所建议科学佩戴口罩：在就医过程中需全程佩戴口罩；在人群密集场所或乘坐公共交通工具（如飞机、火车、地铁等）时建议佩戴口罩，尤其是老年人和一些有慢性基础性疾病的患者，减少感染风险。
（来源：南方+）
