The current wave of the COVID-19 epidemic across China is at this year's first peak level while showing a downward trend in some provinces, a researcher from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday.

The spread of COVID-19 infections has been rising since March, although the transmission of other acute respiratory diseases has remained at a low level, said Liu Qiyong, a researcher from the China CDC at a news conference.

Monitoring data also shows that the COVID-19 activity in southern provinces is more active than that in northern regions.

However, the numbers of fever clinic visits and severe cases documented nationwide have not exceeded previous levels during past rounds of the epidemic and there is no significant impact on normal healthcare services, he said.

The majority of cases are mild and current testing kits and medications remain effective.

Liu suggested children, elderly and those suffering from severe chronic illnesses take personal preventive measures and receive vaccines.