The Resurgence of COVID-19 Has Led to Overcrowded Emergency Rooms, With Netizens Commenting That the Virus Never Truly Leaves

On July 31, a doctor from Shandong shared on Weibo, saying, "The emergency room in the hospital is completely packed." (Screenshot from the internet)

[People News] The positive rate of COVID-19 tests in mainland China has recently begun to rise again, surpassing 20% for the first time. Many doctors have cautioned that "COVID-19 is making a comeback." Some have stated bluntly, "The emergency room is overflowing; there’s no space to lie down on the floor."

Chinese netizens have expressed that "it's hard to defend against."

Recently, on various Chinese social media platforms (including Weibo, Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and Zhihu), many users have posted about having "caught it again," with many expressing their frustration. Numerous netizens have shared photos of their antigen (rapid test) results showing "two lines," and have reported symptoms of "two positives," "three positives," or even "four positives," including symptoms like "fever, sore throat, and body aches."

On social media, users from cities such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, Shanxi, and Beijing have also shared that they or people around them have tested positive again, with some even reporting infections within entire families.

Many have lamented that "it's hard to defend against," stating, "I clearly haven't worn a mask in a long time, yet suddenly I have a fever," or mentioning that "in the office/school, one person falls ill after another."

In response to the claim that "emergency rooms are full, and people are lying on the floor," some netizens (especially those with elderly family members or individuals with underlying health conditions) have expressed significant concern, sharing their experiences of waiting for hours in the hospital, with the infusion area completely filled.

This type of post often generates significant resonance and interaction.

A Chinese netizen shared: Our store staff have all been wiped out (infected with COVID-19). (Screenshot from the internet)

Official: COVID-19 positivity rate rises to 20%

According to the national sentinel surveillance report on acute respiratory infectious diseases released by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention on July 30, the positivity rate for COVID-19 testing showed an upward trend from July 20 to July 26, increasing by 4 percentage points compared to the previous week, making it the highest among respiratory infectious disease testing rates. Overall, the situation remains at a moderate epidemic level, with the main circulating strain still being the NB.1.8.1 variant lineage.

In sentinel hospitals, the positivity rate of respiratory samples from flu-like cases indicated that the top two pathogens were the COVID-19 virus (20.3%) and the influenza virus (14.5%). Notably, the positivity rate for COVID-19 infection was highest among age groups of 0 to 4 years, 15 to 59 years, and those over 60. The positivity rate in southern provinces was significantly higher than in northern provinces.

Data shows that within just three weeks, the outpatient and emergency department COVID-19 positivity rate has surged from 9.6% to 20.3%, effectively doubling since week 27. Due to the Chinese Communist Party's tendency to conceal information, it is challenging for the outside world to ascertain the true epidemic data.

According to The Epoch Times, on August 1, the blogger 'Meisi Medicine' posted on Netease, reporting that a doctor in Liaoning disclosed a recent concentrated outbreak of COVID-19 and influenza A and B cases in the department, leading to a spike in the consumption of antiviral drugs.

On July 31, mainland Chinese traditional medicine doctor Luo Yi posted on Weibo, stating that COVID-19 pneumonia has returned with a vengeance.

A doctor in Hunan Province has indicated that the COVID-19 virus is making a resurgence, and everyone needs to take precautions. Pharmacies are completely out of medication and cannot dispense any, leaving people with no choice but to rest more.

On July 31, a doctor from Shandong shared on Weibo: "The emergency room in the hospital is overflowing; there’s no space to lie down on the floor. Patients with COVID or milder symptoms have been turned away, while those with pneumonia are rushing to get their injections. All that remains are critically ill patients, and there are no beds available, absolutely no beds."

According to a report from Henan Radio and Television's livelihood channel, on July 29, a 36-year-old man in Zhengzhou experienced cold symptoms and endured them for 8 days, thinking it was just a common cold with a fever. However, on the 8th day, he suddenly collapsed at the dining table due to cardiac arrest. After intensive treatment from doctors, he was stabilized, and the doctors diagnosed him with fulminant myocarditis, having been rescued after 20 days.

From 'panic' to 'desensitization and normalization'

In contrast to the early strict epidemic prevention phase, the vast majority of netizens have undergone a fundamental shift in their attitudes towards COVID-19 discussions. Most ordinary netizens no longer experience extreme panic over headlines such as 'positive rate exceeds X%' or 'making a comeback'; instead, they regard it more as a seasonal epidemic akin to 'a severe flu.' A common response is: 'If you test positive, just take medicine and rest; you still have to go to work if necessary.'

Caution against 'panic marketing': Some netizens express their discontent towards certain sensational headlines that excessively dramatize the 'hellish situation,' believing that some self-media are seizing the opportunity to attract attention, sell medication, or promote protective products, urging everyone to view official epidemic control data with a rational perspective.

The harsh reality of 'not being able to afford to be sick'

The discussions among many young netizens are less about the terrifying nature of the virus itself and more about the fear of 'not being able to take leave or stop working.' With the current pressures of employment and wages, many openly admit that 'even when they are sick, they can only push through and work overtime.' This pressure of daily life far outweighs their fear of the virus.

Some netizens do remind each other to 'stock up on some fever reducers, cough medicine, and antigen test kits,' but there has not been a widespread panic buying spree.

The conversations among Chinese netizens on this issue reveal a tendency towards a 'realistic acknowledgment of personal experiences (with some indeed testing positive and hospitals being crowded), yet an overall mentality that has become dulled and pragmatic.'

In the context of life and the economy, while people feel helpless that 'the virus just won't go away,' they have largely moved past the intense anxiety of earlier days, opting instead for a more normalized approach of 'when challenges arise, face them; when sick, take a break.'
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