Recently, a well-known singer postponed his concert after testing positive for COVID-19, sparking renewed public concern. Also, the latest data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) revealed a significant increase in detected COVID-19 cases, from 7.5 percent flu-like cases in early April to 16.2 percent by early May.

　　With the cases climbing, many are wondering how long this wave will last and what to do to protect themselves.

　　According to Lu Jian, a professor at Peking University's School of Life Sciences, global surveillance data shows that KP.8.1 has become the dominant COVID-19 variant. Its high transmissibility suggests it will likely remain widespread for the foreseeable future.

　　This aligns with a March report from the World Health Organization, which noted that among the eight variants being monitored, KP.8.1 was showing an upward trend, accounting for 13.9 percent of sequenced cases in early 2025. However, whether the strains circulating in China differ from those abroad requires confirmation from the health authorities. Notably, China's testing capabilities have significantly improved since the early days of the pandemic. Today, rapid antigen tests can deliver results in 15 minutes, while advanced nucleic acid tests can distinguish COVID-19 from other respiratory viruses like influenza and rhinovirus.

　　Dr. Li Nan, president of Handan People's Hospital in Hebei province, north China, emphasized that while the virus remains a concern, the public should stay informed about disease prevention strategies.

　　If fever symptoms occur, physical cooling methods can be used first. If the body temperature exceeds 38.5°C, antipyretics such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be taken under medical guidance. For respiratory symptoms, cough suppressants can be used on a doctor's advice.

　　In its "Risk Assessment of Public Health Emergencies Concerned in China" released this April, the China CDC noted that based on multi-channel surveillance data, the COVID-19 epidemic in China is expected to maintain an upward trend in the near term. However, the fluctuations from April to May are unlikely to surpass those in summer 2024, and the likelihood of large-scale outbreaks remains low.

　　However, the China CDC warned that as the risk of virus transmission persists, vulnerable groups such as senior citizens still face a higher risk of severe illness after infection. It emphasized early diagnosis and treatment to reduce severe illness risks effectively. Besides, "multi-disease prevention" measures should be promoted, along with enhancing public awareness of infectious disease control and advancing vaccine development and vaccination efforts.