CHINA has reported declining numbers of fever patients and critical COVID-19 cases nationwide as both peaks have passed less than a month after the country optimized its epidemic response in early December.

The country’s health authorities reported 59,938 COVID-related deaths in hospitals between Dec. 8, 2022 and Jan. 12, 2023.

“The number of critical cases in hospitals peaked Jan. 5, totaling at 128,000 on the day,” said Jiao Yahui, head of the Bureau of Medical Administration under the National Health Commission (NHC), at a press conference held by the State Council joint COVID-19 prevention and control mechanism Saturday. The number then began to drop with fluctuations, falling back to 105,000 Jan. 12, Jiao said.

“At present, 75.3% of beds for severe cases are being used,” Jiao said.

According to Jiao, the number of people seeking treatment at fever clinics peaked Dec. 23, 2022 at about 2.87 million, and the figure has since been in continuous decline.

The number of fever patients fell to 477,000 Jan. 12, a decrease of 83.3% from the peak daily figure.

Two weeks after the peak of fever patients, the number of critical cases in hospitals reached its peak, Jiao said.

The COVID-19 detection rate at fever clinics also continues to decline, peaking at 33.9% Dec. 20, 2022. The number dropped to 10.8% Jan. 12, Jiao added.

Regular medical services at hospitals are recovering gradually, Jiao said.

According to the press conference, the majority of critical cases and COVID-related deaths are the elderly, most of whom have underlying issues.

The average age at the time of death was 80.3 years, said Jiao, adding that more than 90% of the deaths involved underlying issues, including cardiovascular diseases, advanced tumors, cerebrovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, metabolic diseases and renal insufficiency.

The average age of severe case patients is 75.5 years, said Jiao, adding that of the severe cases in hospitals Jan. 12, 92.8% have severe underlying issues complicated with COVID-19 infection.

In the next step, efforts will be made in health monitoring and referral services for the elderly, pregnant women, children and patients with underlying issues, said Mi Feng, an NHC spokesperson, at the press conference.

Mi called for ensuring the smooth channel for transferring critical cases, treating patients with integrated Chinese and Western medicine and further boosting vaccination among the elderly. (Xinhua)