One of China's leading respiratory disease experts has called on authorities to step up prevention and treatment efforts for COVID-19 and influenza, warning that COVID infections remain at a high level across the country.

According to data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the COVID-19 positivity rate among outpatient and emergency influenza-like illness cases nationwide rose from 7.5 percent to 16.2 percent between March 31 and May 4. Among hospitalized cases, the positivity rate increased from 3.3 percent to 6.3 percent over the same period.

Zhong Nanshan, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said individuals who test positive — especially seniors with underlying health conditions — should begin taking medication within the first 48 hours of symptom onset to prevent serious illness.

"Although the current outbreak of COVID-19 can be controlled, it still poses risks for people over age 65 with preexisting conditions," Zhong said at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Guangzhou Science and Technology Week on Saturday.

"Residents should remain calm," he added, predicting that the latest wave of infections would decline after June.

Zhong also said his team is working to develop COVID-19 antibodies and treatments specifically for children under age 5.

"Research on COVID-19 drugs for this age group remains limited, and there's a lack of safety data," he said. "It is not scientifically sound to assume that drugs approved for older children are also suitable for those as young as 1."

He urged health authorities to prioritize prevention and treatment for both COVID-19 and influenza, and encouraged older adults to seek prompt care when symptoms arise.

"Choosing the right medication is also important," he said, noting that two new influenza drugs have recently been launched in China.

"China is not lagging behind foreign countries in developing influenza treatments and vaccines," Zhong added.

Li Tongzeng, chief physician at the infectious disease department of Beijing YouAn Hospital, said the proportion of severe COVID-19 cases has remained low over the past two to three years.

"Most patients recover on their own within a week," he said, though immunocompromised individuals, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses remain at risk of serious complications.

No new symptoms have been identified recently, Li said. Fever, sore throat, cough and muscle aches remain the most common, while a small number of patients may experience a loss of taste or smell.

Like the influenza virus, he said, COVID-19 continues to mutate.

"The greater the difference between the original strain and the current circulating variant, the less protection the body's antibodies can provide," Li said.

He noted that new variants are gradually replacing older ones, and population immunity wanes over time, contributing to several sporadic outbreaks this year.

"This suggests that, compared with seasonal or climate factors, the spread of COVID-19 may depend more on how the virus evolves and the level of immunity in the population," he said.

zhengcaixiong@chinadaily.com.cn