local · Bastillepost

China COVID-19 Positive Rate Exceeds 20%, South Significantly Higher Than North

Bastillepost · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN

Summary

China's CDC reported that COVID-19 detection positive rates have risen to 22.3% among outpatient flu-like cases, with the trend slowing but remaining at medium epidemic levels for the week of July 27 to August 2, 2025 . Southern provinces recorded significantly higher positive rates at 5.7% of flu-like cases compared to 2.9% in northern provinces . The dominant circulating strain remains the NB.1.8.1 variant lineage, and the 15-59 age group shows the highest detection positive rate .

Key Points

COVID-19 positive rate reached 22.3% in outpatient flu-like cases, ranking first among respiratory pathogens for the monitored week .
Southern provinces reported 5.7% flu-like case proportion versus 2.9% in northern provinces, showing significant regional disparity .
The dominant strain is NB.1.8.1 variant lineage, with no major public health risk variants detected in surveillance .
The 15-59 age group recorded the highest detection positive rate among all demographic categories monitored .
In Hong Kong, flu season has begun with active COVID-19 circulation, including a cluster of 12 cases at United Hospital's psychiatric ward .

Why It Matters

The data confirms COVID-19 has become an endemic respiratory disease with 1-2 annual waves since downgrading from Class A management, with this wave's intensity comparable to previous years and disease severity unchanged . The significant south-north disparity and active circulation in Hong Kong highlight ongoing regional public health coordination challenges in the Greater Bay Area.