China warns COVID-19 cases may rise during spring festival: Report

A fresh warning has come in connection with the never-ending COVID waves. COVID, which is being spread through the Omicron variant of the coronavirus across countries worldwide, has become a menace for the public as new variants are being reported every few months.

Recently, China's National Health Commission (NHC) said that the COVID-19 epidemic is at a low level in China. However, the recent surveillance data showed that positive case reports have witnessed a slight rise, suggesting that the epidemic is rising, Global Times reported. According to NHC, the number of COVID-19 cases is expected to rise due to the inter-regional movement of people and the increase of crowd gathering around the Spring Festival.

JN.1 variant is the dominant strain in China right now

While addressing a press conference on Sunday, Chen Cao, a researcher at the Institute of Viral Diseases of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), said currently, the JN.1 variant of the COVID-19 virus has become the dominant strain in local cases in China, particularly mild infections, according to Global Times report.

Spring festival holidays are from February 10 to 17. The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, is a joyous and culturally significant celebration in China. Marking the beginning of the lunar new year, it involves family reunions, festive meals, vibrant parades, traditional dragon dances, and the iconic red decorations symbolizing good luck and prosperity. Fireworks illuminate the skies, signifying a hopeful start to the year. A huge gathering of people is expected to occur during the celebration.

The mass movement and gathering of people makes it easy to increase the spread of respiratory diseases, and respiratory diseases will remain at a certain epidemic level before and after the Spring Festival.

Li Tongzeng, the chief physician of the infection department at Beijing You'an Hospital, said that in his hospital, influenza B cases are still at the top spot, with COVID-19 ranking second. Li noted that influenza B is still the main type of flu, with a decrease in cases while the proportion of COVID-19 cases has witnessed a rise recently.

COVID symptoms seen these days

JN.1 variant is currently the dominant strain in several countries and no specific symptoms have been identified so far. Symptoms like fatigue, loss of taste or smell, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, and respiratory issues are being seen in people. The intensity and severity of the symptoms vary from individual to individual.


Speaking to Global Times, Li said people experiencing symptoms like fever, cough, or sore throat during spring festival should not visit relatives or attend gatherings. He advised them to take rest and avoid rest and avoid long-distance travel.

COVID preventive measures to follow

Preventing COVID-19 transmission involves a multi-faceted approach. Vaccination is a crucial preventive measure, significantly reducing the severity of the disease. Regular handwashing, wearing masks, and maintaining physical distance remain essential in limiting the virus's spread. Adequate ventilation indoors and avoiding crowded places further mitigate risks. Practicing good respiratory hygiene, such as covering coughs and sneezes, contributes to community well-being. Staying informed about local guidelines and promptly seeking testing and isolation when symptomatic are pivotal steps. Combining these measures creates a comprehensive strategy, protecting individuals and communities from COVID-19 and its variants while fostering global efforts to overcome the pandemic.

(With inputs from ANI)