Sporadic COVID-19 infections likely over winter: Health commission

China will see sporadic COVID-19 infections throughout the winter and is likely to experience regional outbreaks due to the virus's rampage overseas, Li Bin, vice-minister of the National Health Commission, said on Nov 12.

"As the virus has accelerated its spread across the globe, China is dealing with rising risks of local transmission stemming from imported cases ," Li said.

"Meanwhile, other respiratory diseases circulating in winter are also reaching their peak, so our disease control work must not be relaxed for one second," he said at a news conference held by the State Council information Office.

To curb the risks, Li said the commission will intensify nucleic acid tests on staff at quarantine sites, workers involved in handling cold-chain imports and other imported goods, in tandem with regular tests on high-risk groups, including close contacts of confirmed cases, incoming passengers and people with a fever.

In addition, tests on environmental samples taken from medical institutions, agricultural markets and cold-chain facilities will be stepped up, he said, adding that comprehensive disinfection on imported cold products will be enforced.

Virus control measures at key venues deemed at higher risk of the virus's spread, including schools, nursing homes and charity facilities for people with disabilities, should be strengthened to stamp out potential infection clusters.

Efforts also will be devoted to ramping up monitoring over other respiratory diseases, including influenza and the possible emergence of mysterious pneumonia diseases, he said.

Health workers are required to improve their capability to differentiate and diagnose different diseases to detect and treat COVID-19 patients as early as possible.

"The role of traditional Chinese medicine in preventing, treating and rehabilitating COVID-19 infections will be further amplified," Li added.