Why China Revised COVID-19 Case Counting Method Despite Surge in Confirmed Cases

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] China's change in the counting method for confirmed cases and deaths in Hubei Province, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), may cause confusion in statistics, but experts analyze that it is a 'good decision' as it allows for quicker patient treatment.

According to foreign media such as The New York Times (NYT) on the 13th (local time), experts positively evaluated the decision to classify clinically diagnosed patients through CT scans, in addition to the existing diagnostic method using test kits. This allows patients who might have been missed under the previous method to be classified as confirmed cases and isolated and treated more quickly.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

According to China's new classification method, patients showing pneumonia signs through CT scans can now be classified as COVID-19 patients.

There has already been growing skepticism about the current diagnostic method using test kits. Some cases initially tested negative but later tested positive. The test kits use samples from the nose or throat to detect the virus, but the virus present in the lungs may not be detected.

The method of examining the lungs through CT scans can complement the weaknesses of the test kit-based diagnostic method. Chinese health authorities explain that CT scans can distinguish between COVID-19 patients and patients with other lung diseases.

However, experts raised doubts about whether pneumonia caused by other reasons, such as seasonal flu, can be distinguished. There is also criticism that diagnosis based solely on CT scans may vary depending on the medical staff's expertise.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Furthermore, this classification method may cause confusion in analyzing the actual scale of COVID-19. Changing the classification method while the epidemic is rapidly spreading itself can cause confusion. Michael Ryan, head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Response Team, explained, "Careful attention is needed when interpreting the numbers." It is known that WHO has requested China to submit separate statistics on clinically diagnosed patients.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.