[The Epoch Times, August 14, 2024](Epoch Times reporter Luo Ya reported) Recently, the epidemic situation has worsened in various regions of mainland China. Residents in Beijing have been sharing their experiences on social media, referring to it as the “Gregorian calendar.” Some white-collar workers noted that over half of their colleagues have tested positive recently. Those displaying two or three positive symptoms suggest that the new virus is more potent than prior strains.
Additionally, a low-key nationwide exercise titled “2024 Unknown Pneumonia Cluster Emergency Response Drill,” organized by the National Health Commission and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has been underway since June.
Mr. Zhang, who works in the food business in Beijing, reported a strong positive test on Saturday (August 10). He experienced a body temperature of 38.5°C for two consecutive days, accompanied by body aches, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, a sore throat that felt like it was being sliced, and diarrhea. He has been at home for two days.
A mother in Beijing shared that she and her child both tested positive. The adult had a fever for a day, peaking at 38.7°C in the morning. She experienced body aches and headaches, similar to feeling sore after a full-body workout, along with slight nasal congestion. Her child had multiple symptoms, including headaches, fever, and stomach pain.
Many residents mentioned that more than half of their offices were infected, with some colleagues reporting positive tests. One female employee from an entertainment company stated that she contracted the virus from the company director, who attended work even while unwell to secure a contract, and this information quickly spread throughout the company.
Some Beijingers expressed on social media that they tested positive for the new coronavirus (often referred to as the Chinese Communist Party virus) in the hospital, mentioning persistent fevers and discomfort so intense that they felt life was unbearable.
One Beijinger commented, “Why does this seem so familiar to me? I took the test (using the same test sheet) in Xiaozhuang around 11 o’clock, and I was already exhausted.” They also inquired about special medications, repeating their frustrations about the persistent fever.
Others voiced their helplessness, stating, “I really don’t know where is safe and virus-free. I just went for a quick haircut and took off my mask. Within ten minutes, I was infected.”
In 2024, the epidemic began to spike sharply in Beijing at the end of July. Many people posted their solar calendars online, and some Beijingers wore masks while going out every day, finding themselves infected merely ten minutes after getting a haircut. Some expressed uncertainty about how many times they had been infected (large screenshot from the Internet) Epoch synthesis.
Several Beijingers mentioned on August 6 that they started feeling unwell after attending a concert at the Bird’s Nest, leading to positive tests once again. More residents noted that they were inexplicably positive.
In this wave of communication regarding the epidemic, infections peaked from late July to early August, prompting many to lament, “It’s synchronized; even the dates are the same. We’ve caught this wave.”
After experiencing two or three positive tests, they noted that the situation is growing increasingly severe.
On August 4, a blogger from the “Member of the Chinese Folk Medicine Research and Development Association” reported that the mutation of the new coronavirus has escalated, and there are currently two new dominant strains in China: one is the mutant strain XDV of JN.1, and the other is KP.3.
On August 8, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the main strains of new coronavirus variants currently emerging in China are the JN.1 and XDV series, with subclades of JN.1 including KP.2 and KP.3 strains.
This wave of infections has also impacted individuals who have never previously been exposed to the virus. A Beijinger living abroad reported, “I have never tested positive, and I didn’t think much about it this month after returning to China. After a trip, I developed a sore throat and cough in the past two days and got hit.”
Re-infections have become more common among those experiencing two or three positive tests. A Beijing girl stated, “Whoever contracted the virus this time is surely facing the new poison king. It feels identical to the previous two times. Fortunately, the new coronavirus medication I ordered online was effective. Otherwise, I can’t imagine the suffering I would have endured.”
She insisted, “Some claim the new poison king is somewhat milder. That is all false!!! The new coronavirus is genuinely becoming more powerful.”
Patients with three positive tests echoed this sentiment, “It’s getting worse. My third round was more severe than the first two, and my throat hurts significantly.” Another remarked, “I’ve had three positive tests, and each time gets worse.”
A patient with both two and three positive tests also stated, “This time the toxicity is quite strong. My whole body hurts so much I can’t roll over at night.”
The recent surge in the epidemic has been alarming. Many are reporting body pain and an inability to move due to the new dominant strains, labeled as “poison kings.” (Internet screenshots compiled with The Epoch Times)
Some Beijingers claimed they couldn’t keep track of how many times they had tested positive, estimating at least four. “Sometimes the symptoms vary, but they are still related to the respiratory tract. On these occasions, I couldn’t stand up, and it took three days to recover.”
Others reported simultaneous positive results for both Mycoplasma and COVID-19, with one stating, “I had a terrible cough. It took three days for the fever to subside, but I couldn’t speak.”
Moreover, some citizens in Beijing mentioned that when visiting hospitals, they were not tested or prescribed medication even when positive. One citizen recounted, “The doctor only discusses viral infections without mentioning COVID-19, continually asking if other family members have cold symptoms. Unquestionably, many hospitals in Beijing avoid these terms.” “I don’t agree with that either. They tested me, and it was clearly positive, yet they said it was standard for influenza A and Mycoplasma.” Another shared, “I underwent only tests for influenza A and B and routine blood tests, but they stated they couldn’t detect COVID-19.”
The recent epidemic surge has led to complaints from Beijingers about hospitals not conducting tests or prescribing medication for positive cases, with a lack of reporting on the issue. (Internet screenshots synthesized by The Epoch Times)
Travelers from various regions report infections after returning home
The increasing epidemic in Beijing is also reflected in many travelers indicating they received positive tests after returning home, with some even testing positive before leaving Beijing.
A woman from Jiangsu Province who visited Beijing reported feeling unwell after climbing the Great Wall, and her test showed two positive results.
Another tourist from Shenzhen mentioned, “I also climbed the Great Wall, but it didn’t work out in Beijing yesterday. After returning to Shenzhen today, I tested positive just like you.”
A man from Shandong remarked, “I got a virus after spending two days in Beijing.”
A young man from Taiyuan, Shanxi Province said, “After two days in Beijing, my throat was still sore. It hurt, I had difficulty swallowing, and my nose was congested.”
A family from Gansu Province returned from a trip to Beijing, complaining that their child had a sore throat the previous day, couldn’t eat, and had a low-grade fever overnight.
A college student from Hebei stated, “I spent half a day in Beijing and came back with these symptoms: a dry and sore throat, phlegm, a runny nose, and difficulty breathing.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in various local health commissions organized “Unknown Pneumonia Emergency Drill”
During this epidemic wave, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in some local governments in mainland China have also advised the public on preventive measures. The Dalian Center for Disease Control and Prevention released a reminder stating: Recently, domestic cases of new coronavirus infections have risen. It is recommended to enhance personal protection, wear masks, or maintain social distancing to lower the risk of respiratory disease transmission.
Beginning in June, mainland China’s National Health Commission and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have initiated “2024 Unknown Pneumonia Emergency Response Drills” nationwide, drawing attention from the public. Netizens have been questioning whether it is returning again.
The authorities indicated that the main mutant strains currently circulating in the country are predominantly the JN.1 subline and the XDV.1 strain. Compared to the JN.1 strain, the XDV and KP series mutant strains display enhanced transmissibility, pathogenicity, and immune evasion characteristics. No significant changes have been observed.
According to a recent epidemic monitoring report released by Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, there has been a marked increase in new coronavirus infections since July. Reports in the 30th week (July 22-July 28) were higher than in the 29th week (July 15-July 21), reflecting a month-on-month increase of 89.19%.
Data released by Guangdong Provincial authorities revealed 8,246 infection cases in June, with over 10,000 additional cases reported in July.
Furthermore, various regions within the mainland have resumed the “2024 Unknown Cluster Pneumonia Epidemic Emergency Response Drill,” organized by the National Health Commission and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The initiatives have sparked heated discussions among netizens: “Is it coming again?”
Editor in charge: Gao Jing#
The Escalating Epidemic in Mainland China: A Closer Look at the 2024 Outbreak
The ongoing health crisis in mainland China has drawn significant attention as reports of escalating infections circulate through social media and news outlets. Particularly in Beijing, where people are sharing their experiences with the new wave of infections, there’s an underlying concern about the severity of the symptoms and the effectiveness of current health measures.
Overview of the Current Situation
As of August 2024, the epidemic appears to have intensified, with many citizens in Beijing reporting that they or their close contacts have tested positive for the virus. Observations point to a concerning trend, where more than half of some office staff members within various companies have become infected.
- Infection Rates: Reports indicate a high prevalence of two-yang and three-yang symptoms, suggesting a stronger infection strain circulating among the population.
- Symptoms Reported: Many patients are experiencing severe symptoms, including high fever, body aches, headaches, fatigue, and throat pain.
Personal Accounts and Experiences
Individuals have taken to social media to share their experiences post-infection, highlighting the alarming symptoms and rapid transmission.
Case Studies of Infection
1. **Mr. Zhang** (Food Industry Worker):
- Date of Infection: August 10
- Symptoms: Fever (38.5°C), body aches, dizziness, and severe throat pain.
- Status: Currently recovering at home.
2. **Beijing Mother and Child:**
- Symptoms: The mother experienced a fever reaching 38.7°C while the child had a mix of symptoms including headaches and stomach aches.
- Reflection: They noted the rapid onset of symptoms following social interactions.
Others echoed similar experiences, indicating a wider pattern of infection that appears to coincide with social gatherings and everyday activities, such as haircuts or public events.
Variant Concerns: What is Circulating?
Health officials have raised alarms about new variants of the coronavirus, specifically highlighting the emergence of strains such as XDV and KP.3. Recent mutations seem to have enhanced transmissibility and immune evasion capabilities. According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention:
- The prominent strains currently impacting the population include the JN.1 and XDV series.
- Reports suggest that individuals with prior infections are more susceptible to re-infection, with some experiencing significantly severe symptoms.
The Role of Health Authorities
In response to the escalating health crisis, the National Health Commission has initiated the “2024 Unknown Pneumonia Cluster Emergency Response Drill.” The goal is to better prepare health services for current and potential surges of infections.
Key Actions Taken by Health Authorities:
- Monitoring and surveillance of new cases in various cities.
- Public advisories emphasizing the importance of personal protective measures.
- Implementation of precautionary drills aimed at assessing readiness for severe outbreak situations.
Visitor Impact: Effects on Tourists and Residents
Shockingly, many tourists visiting Beijing have reported testing positive after returning home or even during their stay in the city, hinting at a potential outbreak associated with popular tourist spots.
Tourist Accounts:
- Visitor from Jiangsu: Developed a sore throat after visiting the Great Wall.
- Tourist from Shenzhen: Similar experiences post-visit to the same landmark.
- Family from Gansu: Reported their child fell ill shortly after returning from a trip to Beijing.
Practical Tips for Protection
As the epidemic continues to unfold, individuals are encouraged to take proactive measures to protect themselves and their families:
- Wear Masks: Especially in crowded areas or when social distancing is not possible.
- Regular Testing: Seek testing regularly, particularly after travel or exposure to large groups.
- Stay Updated: Follow local health advisories and updates regarding the state of the epidemic.
Observations on Healthcare Response
Those seeking medical assistance report troubling experiences when trying to access relevant testing and treatment. In many cases, healthcare workers are reluctant to officially confirm cases of COVID-19, focusing instead on general viral infections:
- Patients have expressed frustration at hospitals not conducting COVID-19 specific tests despite clear symptoms.
- Doctors sometimes mislabel the diagnosis as influenza or respiratory infections without acknowledging the ongoing outbreak.
Conclusion: Moving Forward in Addressing the Epidemic
As the situation in mainland China evolves, collaboration among health officials, healthcare workers, and the public will play a crucial role in managing the spread of these new strains. Collective efforts in awareness, prevention, and clear communication could make a significant difference in curbing the ongoing epidemic.
