China has seen rising cases of EG.5, a subvariant of COVID-19, up from 0.6 percent in April to 71.6 percent in August, according to the statistics released by China's National Disease Control and Prevention Administration on August 19.

Studies show that EG.5 has gained increased prevalence due to its improved immune escape abilities, which allow it to escape or decrease the neutralization of antibodies generated from former infections.

(Photo: Nanfang Daily)

According to Peng Jie, director of the treatment center for infectious diseases at Nanfang Hospital, most young patients have mild symptoms and just need outpatient treatment. A small number of cases need hospitalization, most of which are elderly people with underlying diseases such as diabetes, dysfunction in the kidney, and tumor. As for patients' condition, there were no signs of aggravation.

Peng said that the fever clinic at the hospital has been receiving a stable number of patients due to sudden fever and has seen no surge for the past week, while the proportion of COVID infections is on the rise.

"People have antibodies from the previous infection to defend against the strain," said Peng. As a substrain of the Omicron variant XBB.1.9.2, EG.5 does not show higher pathogenicity. As long as new strains of COVID-19 belong to the Omicron family, the human body will have the immune memory to fight against them.

Peng also said that people with a strong immune system and past infection experience will be affected later as the antibodies inside the body decrease over time, while others should stay cautious. Overall, there may be small peaks of staggered infection, yet the virulence of the EG.5 substrain has not been enhanced, and the virus will get weaker and weaker to adapt to the environment. Therefore, there is no need for residents to worry.

Peng said that the virus is still highly contagious, and it is essential to take protective measures. He suggests the public, especially the people at higher risk for progression to severe cases, the elderly with serious underlying diseases, protect themselves with the following measures:

*Wear masks before using public transportation or going to crowded indoor places.

*Maintain good hygiene, opening windows to help with ventilation.

*Do proper exercises to improve immunity.

In addition, key groups such as the elderly are advised to receive vaccinations targeted at XBB variants.

Peng stressed the importance of symptomatic treatment and early intervention. People who find themselves infected can use antiviral medication under the doctor's instruction.