sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
COVID-19 positivity rate exceeds 20%, latest situation released.
July 31, 2026, 14:47,
Compiled by Ling Jun
On July 30, the official website of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention released the " National Sentinel Surveillance Report on Acute Respiratory Infectious Diseases (Week 30, 2026) ".
The report indicates that from July 20 to July 26, 2026, the proportion of influenza-like illness cases reported by sentinel hospitals nationwide to the total number of outpatient and emergency visits (influenza-like illness percentage) was 4.4%, with southern provinces (6.1%) higher than northern provinces (2.8%).
Among them, COVID-19 infection ranked first in the "positive rate of respiratory sample testing for influenza-like illnesses in sentinel hospital outpatient and emergency departments" and the "positive rate of respiratory sample testing for hospitalized severe acute respiratory infection cases".
Specifically, the top three pathogens with the highest positive rates in respiratory samples from influenza-like illnesses detected at sentinel hospitals' outpatient and emergency departments were novel coronavirus (20.3%), influenza virus (14.5%), and enterovirus (5.9%).
The top three pathogens with the highest positive rates in respiratory samples from hospitalized severe acute respiratory infection cases were novel coronavirus (9.5%), influenza virus (6.4%), and human metapneumovirus (4.3%).
In terms of age distribution, the positive rate of COVID-19 infection is highest in the 0-4 year old, 15-59 year old and over 60 year old groups. In the 5-14 year old children/adolescents, the highest positive rate of pathogens in outpatient influenza-like cases is influenza virus, while in hospitalized severe acute respiratory infection cases, the positive rates are Mycoplasma pneumoniae and COVID-19.
The report analysis and suggestions stated that, based on the nationwide surveillance of fever cases in outpatient and emergency departments, the observation of influenza-like illnesses in sentinel hospitals, and the results of multi-pathogen detection, all detected pathogens were known common pathogens, and no unknown pathogens or emerging infectious diseases caused by them were found.
The positive rate of novel coronavirus testing has been rising recently, but is generally at a medium epidemic level. The main circulating strain is still the NB.1.8.1 variant. The positive rate in southern provinces is significantly higher than that in northern provinces, and the positive rate is highest in the 15-59 age group.
Influenza activity fluctuated at a low prevalence level, primarily caused by influenza B (Victoria) lineage and A (H3N2) subtype viruses, with both subtypes accounting for a similar proportion. The positivity rate was higher in cases aged 4 years and older. The positivity rates for rhinovirus and enterovirus fluctuated and decreased, with higher positivity rates in cases under 14 years of age. The positivity rates for human metapneumovirus and parainfluenza virus fluctuated and decreased, with higher positivity rates in cases aged 0–4 years of age. The positivity rates for other monitored respiratory pathogens remained at low levels.
Since its introduction as a Class B infectious disease, COVID-19 has become a common and frequently occurring respiratory infectious disease, with 1-2 outbreaks occurring annually in China. The current surge in the epidemic is still a cyclical fluctuation, with an intensity comparable to the previous two years. The severity of the disease has not changed, with most cases being mild. The elderly and those with chronic underlying diseases remain high-risk groups for severe illness, and specific treatments are effective.
No variants posing significant public health risks have been detected during monitoring, nor have the epidemic fluctuations shown a significant impact on overall medical order. To prevent the spread of respiratory infectious diseases , the public is advised to take the following personal protective measures:
(1) Wear masks scientifically: Masks should be worn throughout the 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, in order to reduce the risk of infection.
(2) Maintain good hygiene habits: When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, towel or elbow; pay attention to hand hygiene and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unclean hands to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission.
(3) Advocate a healthy lifestyle: Maintain a balanced diet, engage in appropriate exercise and get enough rest to enhance the body's immunity. If you experience fever, cough or other respiratory infection symptoms, wear a mask when in contact with others and keep the room well-ventilated; seek medical attention promptly if necessary.
(4) Actively get vaccinated: People with weak immunity (such as pregnant women, young children, the elderly and patients with chronic diseases) should get vaccinated against respiratory infectious diseases according to the vaccination guidelines.
zhttps://k.sina.com.cn/article_5953189932_162d6782c06704sree.html?cre=tianyi&mod=pcpager_news&loc=28&r=0&rfunc=12&tj=cxvertical_pc_pager_news&tr=174
July 31, 2026, 14:47,
Compiled by Ling Jun
On July 30, the official website of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention released the " National Sentinel Surveillance Report on Acute Respiratory Infectious Diseases (Week 30, 2026) ".
The report indicates that from July 20 to July 26, 2026, the proportion of influenza-like illness cases reported by sentinel hospitals nationwide to the total number of outpatient and emergency visits (influenza-like illness percentage) was 4.4%, with southern provinces (6.1%) higher than northern provinces (2.8%).
Among them, COVID-19 infection ranked first in the "positive rate of respiratory sample testing for influenza-like illnesses in sentinel hospital outpatient and emergency departments" and the "positive rate of respiratory sample testing for hospitalized severe acute respiratory infection cases".
Specifically, the top three pathogens with the highest positive rates in respiratory samples from influenza-like illnesses detected at sentinel hospitals' outpatient and emergency departments were novel coronavirus (20.3%), influenza virus (14.5%), and enterovirus (5.9%).
The top three pathogens with the highest positive rates in respiratory samples from hospitalized severe acute respiratory infection cases were novel coronavirus (9.5%), influenza virus (6.4%), and human metapneumovirus (4.3%).
In terms of age distribution, the positive rate of COVID-19 infection is highest in the 0-4 year old, 15-59 year old and over 60 year old groups. In the 5-14 year old children/adolescents, the highest positive rate of pathogens in outpatient influenza-like cases is influenza virus, while in hospitalized severe acute respiratory infection cases, the positive rates are Mycoplasma pneumoniae and COVID-19.
The report analysis and suggestions stated that, based on the nationwide surveillance of fever cases in outpatient and emergency departments, the observation of influenza-like illnesses in sentinel hospitals, and the results of multi-pathogen detection, all detected pathogens were known common pathogens, and no unknown pathogens or emerging infectious diseases caused by them were found.
The positive rate of novel coronavirus testing has been rising recently, but is generally at a medium epidemic level. The main circulating strain is still the NB.1.8.1 variant. The positive rate in southern provinces is significantly higher than that in northern provinces, and the positive rate is highest in the 15-59 age group.
Influenza activity fluctuated at a low prevalence level, primarily caused by influenza B (Victoria) lineage and A (H3N2) subtype viruses, with both subtypes accounting for a similar proportion. The positivity rate was higher in cases aged 4 years and older. The positivity rates for rhinovirus and enterovirus fluctuated and decreased, with higher positivity rates in cases under 14 years of age. The positivity rates for human metapneumovirus and parainfluenza virus fluctuated and decreased, with higher positivity rates in cases aged 0–4 years of age. The positivity rates for other monitored respiratory pathogens remained at low levels.
Since its introduction as a Class B infectious disease, COVID-19 has become a common and frequently occurring respiratory infectious disease, with 1-2 outbreaks occurring annually in China. The current surge in the epidemic is still a cyclical fluctuation, with an intensity comparable to the previous two years. The severity of the disease has not changed, with most cases being mild. The elderly and those with chronic underlying diseases remain high-risk groups for severe illness, and specific treatments are effective.
No variants posing significant public health risks have been detected during monitoring, nor have the epidemic fluctuations shown a significant impact on overall medical order. To prevent the spread of respiratory infectious diseases , the public is advised to take the following personal protective measures:
(1) Wear masks scientifically: Masks should be worn throughout the 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, in order to reduce the risk of infection.
(2) Maintain good hygiene habits: When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, towel or elbow; pay attention to hand hygiene and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unclean hands to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission.
(3) Advocate a healthy lifestyle: Maintain a balanced diet, engage in appropriate exercise and get enough rest to enhance the body's immunity. If you experience fever, cough or other respiratory infection symptoms, wear a mask when in contact with others and keep the room well-ventilated; seek medical attention promptly if necessary.
(4) Actively get vaccinated: People with weak immunity (such as pregnant women, young children, the elderly and patients with chronic diseases) should get vaccinated against respiratory infectious diseases according to the vaccination guidelines.
zhttps://k.sina.com.cn/article_5953189932_162d6782c06704sree.html?cre=tianyi&mod=pcpager_news&loc=28&r=0&rfunc=12&tj=cxvertical_pc_pager_news&tr=174