According to data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the COVID-19 positivity rate has recently risen across China. The Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention also issued a reminder that the intensity of COVID-19 activity in Shanghai shows a phase of low-level fluctuations, predicting that the COVID-19 infection situation in Shanghai will stabilize by mid to late May.
The Oriental Network cites experts stating that this surge in COVID-19 cases in Shanghai is not a sudden new epidemic, but rather a 'small peak' in the regular epidemic rhythm.
Chen Yuanzhuo, deputy director of the emergency department at Shanghai's Tenth People's Hospital, noted that since March, the rate of COVID-19 infections in their emergency department has increased, but overall the cases show "mild symptoms with few severe cases." Hospital monitoring data indicates that at its peak, the COVID-19 positive detection rate in the fever clinic could reach one-third, and approximately 10% of emergency internal medicine patients tested positive, both higher than normal levels.
Chen Yuanzhuo said that from the hospital's emergency admissions, the current COVID-19 cycle in Shanghai is becoming regular, with a 'small peak' occurring approximately every six months. During this cycle, the virus strain is relatively 'mild,' with the young population being the primary infected group. Symptoms are generally mild, mainly presenting as fever, with most patients' symptoms resembling influenza.
Why is this wave of infections primarily affecting young people? Chen Yuanzhuo explained that some young individuals have weakened immunity due to high work pressure, irregular diet, and disrupted schedules, along with frequent exposure to densely populated public places, making them a susceptible group. He suggests that office workers maintain a "balanced dynamic," engage in moderate-intensity exercise 3 to 4 times a week, and ensure adequate intake of proteins and vitamins in their diet.
Chen Yuanzhuo also offers four protective tips: wear masks in medical institutions, public transportation, and other confined places; enhance hand hygiene, and clean hands promptly after touching public facilities; maintain ventilation in the environment, ensuring at least two window openings daily for no less than 30 minutes each; and maintain regular schedules, ensuring 7 hours of sleep each day, engage in moderate exercise, and avoid behaviors like staying up late that can harm the immune system.
However, Chen Song, deputy chief physician of emergency and critical care medicine at the Pudong New Area People's Hospital, still warns that people over 65, those with chronic underlying diseases, cancer patients with compromised immunity, women in late pregnancy, and obese individuals should be cautious of severe risks. If they experience persistent respiratory difficulty or chest pain, confusion, inability to eat, significantly reduced urine output, cyanosis of the skin/lips, cold extremities, abnormal fetal movements or abdominal pain in pregnant women, they should seek medical attention immediately.