As COVID-19 infections spread again in China, health authorities are on heightened alert after recent reports show that one out of every five patients with flu-like symptoms tested positive for COVID-19.

According to data released by China's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the positive rate for COVID-19 virus testing among patients with flu-like symptoms during the fourth week of last month (July 20-26, 2026) reached 20.3%. This represents a sharp increase of 4 percentage points compared to the previous week. With the positive rate rising significantly in just one week, analysts suggest that the trend of COVID-19 resurgence in China is concerning.

The 20.3% figure means that approximately one out of every five patients displaying symptoms similar to the flu tested positive for COVID-19. This presents a distinctly different pattern from typical seasonal flu outbreaks, raising concern among infectious disease experts. However, Chinese authorities have evaluated this outbreak pattern as moderate level, emphasizing it as a "normal cyclical fluctuation" in an apparent attempt to downplay the severity of the current situation.

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The primary variant strain driving COVID-19 spread in China has been identified as NB.1.8.1. This variant currently shows the highest prevalence and is at the center of the outbreak. Notably, COVID-19 positive rates are particularly high in southern China by region and among the 15-59 age group by age, reflecting the specific characteristics of the current situation.

Most COVID-19 cases have been reported as mild; however, vulnerable populations including the elderly and those with chronic underlying conditions still face high risks of severe progression, warranting caution. Experts point out that special protective measures and prevention efforts are necessary for these high-risk groups.

While Chinese authorities appear inclined to dismiss the current outbreak as a "normal cyclical fluctuation," the spread of the NB.1.8.1 variant and the high positive rate among patients with flu-like symptoms suggest a situation that cannot afford complacency. Along with continued warnings to vulnerable populations, careful and sustained attention to China's COVID-19 situation remains necessary.