Chinese Expert: "COVID-19 Will Peak Again Next Spring"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Sunmi Park] There is a claim that the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), which is raging worldwide, could enter a lull this summer but may surge again next spring.

According to Chinese media such as Pengpai on the 23rd, Jiang Wanhong, head of infectious diseases at Shanghai Huashan Hospital under Fudan University, recently diagnosed during a video conference with German medical staff on COVID-19 response that even if the spread of COVID-19 slows down this summer, there is a possibility of another major outbreak next spring.

He said, "The pandemic will subside between April and June this year, be mostly controlled during the summer, and enter a lull period. However, it cannot be ruled out that it may reoccur after summer and in winter."

He explained, "After summer, the number of patients will decrease, but sporadic cases may continue to appear. If sporadic cases of COVID-19 continue through this winter and next spring, COVID-19 could reach its peak again next spring."

He also opened the possibility that COVID-19 outbreaks could repeatedly occur alternately in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres, where the climates are opposite.

Director Jiang said, "This summer, confirmed COVID-19 cases will decrease in the Northern Hemisphere, but in the Southern Hemisphere, which will be in winter, cases may increase. The virus could continuously move back and forth between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres over the next one to two years," he added.

Meanwhile, regarding the global distrust spreading over China's statistics showing almost no new COVID-19 cases, Director Jiang emphasized, "It is true that many cities in China currently report zero new confirmed cases. The statistics are not incorrect and there is no need to doubt them."

He added, "However, like all countries, China is exposed to serious risks of virus importation from overseas, so it is difficult to say that the COVID-19 situation in China has completely eased." He emphasized, "Many countries must take strong measures to prevent virus spread, and only then will the virus retreat, whether this summer or next summer."

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