As of June 6, 2022, the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 that originated in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province in China, had infected over 2.1 million people and killed 14,612 in the country. Hong Kong is currently the region with the highest active cases in China.

From Wuhan to the rest of China

In late December 2019, health authorities in Wuhan detected several pneumonia cases of unknown cause. Most of these patients had links to the Huanan Seafood Market. With Chinese New Year approaching, millions of Chinese migrant workers travelled back to their hometowns for the celebration. Before the start of the travel ban on January 23, around five million people had left Wuhan. By the end of January, the number of infections had surged to over ten thousand. The death toll from the virus exceeded that of the SARS outbreak a few days later. On February 12, thousands more cases were confirmed in Wuhan after an improvement to the diagnosis method, resulting in another sudden surge of confirmed cases. On March 31, 2020, the National Health Commission (NHC) in China announced that it would begin reporting the infection number of symptom-free individuals who tested positive for coronavirus. On April 17, 2020, health authorities in Wuhan revised its death toll, adding 50 percent more fatalities. After quarantine measures were implemented, the country reported no new local coronavirus COVID-19 transmissions for the first time on March 18, 2020.

The overloaded healthcare system

In Wuhan, 28 hospitals were designated to treat coronavirus patients, but the outbreak continued to test China’s disease control system and most of the hospitals were soon fully occupied. To combat the virus, the government announced plans to build a new hospital swiftly. On February 3, 2020, Huoshenshan Hospital was opened to provide an additional 1,300 beds. Due to an extreme shortage of health-care professionals in Wuhan, thousands of medical staff from all over China came voluntarily to the epicenter to offer their support. After no new deaths reported for first time, China lifted ten-week lockdown on Wuhan on April 8, 2020. Daily life was returning slowly back to normal in the country.

COVID-19: Asymptomatic Infection: New Increase: Shanghai data was reported at 185.000 Person in 13 Dec 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 197.000 Person for 12 Dec 2022. COVID-19: Asymptomatic Infection: New Increase: Shanghai data is updated daily, averaging 0.000 Person from Mar 2020 (Median) to 13 Dec 2022, with 988 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 25,173.000 Person in 10 Apr 2022 and a record low of 0.000 Person in 19 Feb 2022. COVID-19: Asymptomatic Infection: New Increase: Shanghai data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Health Commission. The data is categorized under High Frequency Database’s Disease Outbreaks – Table CN.GZ: COVID-19: Asymptomatic Infection.

The new SARS-like coronavirus has spread around China since its outbreak in Wuhan - the capital of central China’s Hubei province. As of June 7, 2022, there were 2,785,848 active cases with symptoms in Greater China. The pandemic has caused a significant impact in the country's economy.

Fast-moving epidemic

In Wuhan, over 3.8 thousand deaths were registered in the heart of the outbreak. The total infection number surged on February 12, 2020 in Hubei province. After a change in official methodology for diagnosing and counting cases, thousands of new cases were added to the total figure. There is little knowledge about how the virus that originated from animals transferred to humans. While human-to-human transmission has been confirmed, other transmission routes through aerosol and fecal-oral are also possible. The deaths from the current virus COVID-19 (formally known as 2019-nCoV) has surpassed the toll from the SARS epidemic of 2002 and 2003.

Key moments in the Chinese coronavirus timeline

The doctor in Wuhan, Dr. Li Wenliang, who first warned about the new strain of coronavirus was silenced by the police. It was announced on February 7, 2020 that he died from the effects of the coronavirus infection. His death triggered a national backlash over freedom of speech on Chinese social media. On March 18, 2020, the Chinese government reported no new domestically transmissions for the first time after a series of quarantine and social distancing measures had been implemented. On March 31, 2020, the National Health Commission (NHC) in China started reporting the infection number of symptom-free individuals who tested positive for coronavirus. Before that, asymptomatic cases had not been included in the Chinese official count. China lifted ten-week lockdown on Wuhan on April 8, 2020. Daily life was returning slowly back to normal in the country. On April 17, 2020, health authorities in Wuhan revised its death toll, adding some 1,290 fatalities in its total count.

COVID-19: Asymptomatic Infection: New Increase: Guangxi data was reported at 36.000 Person in 13 Dec 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 43.000 Person for 12 Dec 2022. COVID-19: Asymptomatic Infection: New Increase: Guangxi data is updated daily, averaging 0.000 Person from Mar 2020 (Median) to 13 Dec 2022, with 988 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 757.000 Person in 30 Nov 2022 and a record low of 0.000 Person in 10 Feb 2022. COVID-19: Asymptomatic Infection: New Increase: Guangxi data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Health Commission. The data is categorized under High Frequency Database’s Disease Outbreaks – Table CN.GZ: COVID-19: Asymptomatic Infection.

COVID-19: Number of Death: Year to Date: Hubei: Xiangyang data was reported at 40.000 Person in 13 Dec 2022. This stayed constant from the previous number of 40.000 Person for 12 Dec 2022. COVID-19: Number of Death: Year to Date: Hubei: Xiangyang data is updated daily, averaging 40.000 Person from Feb 2020 (Median) to 13 Dec 2022, with 1045 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 40.000 Person in 13 Dec 2022 and a record low of 1.000 Person in 03 Feb 2020. COVID-19: Number of Death: Year to Date: Hubei: Xiangyang data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Health Commission. The data is categorized under High Frequency Database’s Disease Outbreaks – Table CN.GZ: COVID-19: No of Death.

The first two cases of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) in Italy were recorded between the end of January and the beginning of February 2020. Since then, the number of cases in Italy increased steadily, reaching over 26.9 million as of January 8, 2025. The region mostly hit by the virus in the country was Lombardy, counting almost 4.4 million cases. On January 11, 2022, 220,532 new cases were registered, which represented the biggest daily increase in cases in Italy since the start of the pandemic. The virus originated in Wuhan, a Chinese city populated by millions and located in the province of Hubei. More statistics and facts about the virus in Italy are available here.For a global overview, visit Statista's webpage exclusively dedicated to coronavirus, its development, and its impact.

ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical characteristics and prognostic impacts of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection among cancer inpatients during the December 2022 – February 2023 surge, in order to provide scientific evidence for clinical treatment and prevention and control measures.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical features, prognosis, and vaccination status of cancer in-patients infected with the Omicron variant during the COVID-19 pandemic of December 2022 – February 2023.ResultsA total of 137 cancer inpatients were included in the study, with a median age of 61 years, and 75 patients (54.74%) were male. The main symptoms were cough (69 cases, 50.36%), expectoration (60 cases, 43.80%), and fever (53 cases, 39.69%). Chest CT examination revealed bilateral pneumonia in 47 cases (34.31%, 47/137) and pleural effusion in 24 cases (17.52%, 24/137). Among the cancer patients, 116 cases (84.67%, 116/137) had solid tumors, and 21 cases (15.33%, 21/137) had hematologic malignancies, with the main types being breast cancer (25 cases, 18.25%) and lung cancer (24 cases, 17.52%). Among the cancer patients, 46 cases (33.58%) were asymptomatic, 81 cases (59.12%) had mild disease, 10 cases (7.30%) had severe infection, and 8 cases (5.84%) died. A total of 91 patients (66.42%) had been vaccinated, with 58 patients (42.34%) receiving three doses. Multivariate analysis showed that cerebral infarction and hypoproteinemia were risk factors for death from COVID-19 infection.ConclusionCancer patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron typically exhibit mild disease manifestations, but some cancer patients infected with the Omicron variant might progress to severe illness, and even death, necessitating close monitoring and attention during the early stages of infection. Additionally, the presence of cerebral infarction and hypoproteinemia significantly increases the risk of death.

COVID-19: Asymptomatic Infection: under Medical Observation: Tianjin data was reported at 5,357.000 Person in 12 Dec 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5,501.000 Person for 11 Dec 2022. COVID-19: Asymptomatic Infection: under Medical Observation: Tianjin data is updated daily, averaging 12.000 Person from Apr 2020 (Median) to 12 Dec 2022, with 985 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7,496.000 Person in 04 Dec 2022 and a record low of 0.000 Person in 18 Feb 2022. COVID-19: Asymptomatic Infection: under Medical Observation: Tianjin data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Health Commission. The data is categorized under High Frequency Database’s Disease Outbreaks – Table CN.GZ: COVID-19: Asymptomatic Infection.

BackgroundTo date, the repeated breakout of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic across many regions in China has caused continuous physical and mental harm to health care workers. This study investigates the psychological burden of the pandemic and its associated risk factors among Chinese healthcare workers (HCWs) during a single wave of COVID-19.MethodsFor this cross-sectional web-based survey conducted from January 16, 2022 to February 5, 2022, a total of 412 HCWs from Northwestern China were recruited. Their socio-demographic data and COVID-19 related survey variables were then collected using online self-rating questionnaires. In addition, the Chinese versions of well-validated instruments, including the 12-item General Health Questionnaire for psychiatric morbidity, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 for anxiety, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for depression and the Insomnia Severity Index-7 for insomnia, were used to assess the participants' mental health status. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was eventually performed to identify the risk factors associated with the psychological outcomes.ResultsOf the 388 participants who were included in the final study (94.17% response rate), the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and insomnia symptoms were 25.3% (95% CI: 20.9-29.6%), 40.7% (95% CI: 35.8-45.6%), and 30.9% (95% CI: 26.3-35.5%), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that being a woman and having a perceived need for psychological support were risk factors for all psychological outcomes, while poor disease cognition and perceived susceptibility were risk factors for anxiety. Poor disease cognition and being unvaccinated against COVID-19 were risk factors for depression, with the latter also being an independent risk factor for insomnia.ConclusionThis study has identified a relatively lower prevalence rate of psychological disorders among Chinese HCWs during a single wave, deeper into the COVID-19 pandemic. Female HCWs, and those who had a perceived need for psychological support, had poor disease cognition, were perceived as susceptible to COVID-19 and had not been vaccinated against COVID-19 deserve more attention.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess Chinese public pandemic fatigue and potential influencing factors using an appropriate tool and provide suggestions to relieve this fatigue.MethodsThis study used a stratified sampling method by age and region and conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of citizens in Xi'an, China, from January to February 2022. A total of 1500 participants completed the questionnaire, which collected data on demographics, health status, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) stressors, pandemic fatigue, COVID-19 fear, COVID-19 anxiety, personal resiliency, social support, community resilience, and knowledge, attitude, and practice toward COVID-19. Ultimately, 1354 valid questionnaires were collected, with a response rate of 90.0%. A binary logistic regression model was used to examine associations between pandemic fatigue and various factors.ResultNearly half of the participants reported pandemic fatigue, the major manifestation of which was “being sick of hearing about COVID-19” (3.353 ± 1.954). The logistic regression model indicated that COVID-19 fear (OR = 2.392, 95% CI = 1.804–3.172), sex (OR = 1.377, 95% CI = 1.077–1.761), the pandemic's impact on employment (OR = 1.161, 95% CI = 1.016–1.327), and COVID-19 anxiety (OR = 1.030, 95% CI = 1.010–1.051) were positively associated with pandemic fatigue. Conversely, COVID-19 knowledge (OR = 0.894, 95% CI = 0.837–0.956), COVID-19 attitude (OR = 0.866, 95% CI = 0.827–0.907), COVID-19 practice (OR = 0.943, 95% CI = 0.914–0.972), community resiliency (OR = 0.978, 95% CI = 0.958–0.999), and health status (OR = 0.982, 95% CI = 0.971–0.992) were negatively associated with pandemic fatigue.ConclusionThe prevalence of pandemic fatigue among the Chinese public was prominent. COVID-19 fear and COVID-19 attitude were the strongest risk factors and protective factors, respectively. These results indicated that the government should carefully utilize multi-channel promotion of anti-pandemic policies and knowledge.

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic subverted people’s lives and potentially affected the management and prognosis of pre-existing dermatoses. The study aims to identify factors influencing the outcomes of dermatoses during a rapid and widespread Omicron outbreak in China following the adjustment of the COVID-19 policy.Materials and methodsThis retrospective observational study involved outpatients visiting the dermatology department at a tertiary referral hospital in Beijing, China between December 2022 and February 2023. Demographics, COVID-19 characteristics, treatment modalities, and dermatosis outcomes were subjected to statistical analysis.ResultsThe odds ratio (OR) for vitiligo aggravation during COVID-19 was 0.497 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.254–0.973, p = 0.038] compared to total patients with various dermatoses. Psoriasis patients with a maximum body temperature (Tmax) over 38.6°C during COVID-19 were 2.833 times more likely to experience dermatosis aggravation (OR: 2.833 [1.029–7.803], p = 0.041). Moreover, autoimmune bullous disease (AIBD) patients receiving biologics treatment exhibited a reduced likelihood of aggravation during the COVID-19 outbreak (OR: 0 [0–0.531], p = 0.011).ConclusionVitiligo exhibits lower aggravation rates during COVID-19 than other dermatoses. A higher body temperature during COVID-19 infection can increase the risk of psoriasis aggravation. Biologics treatment reduces the risk of AIBD aggravation during the COVID-19 outbreak.

COVID-19: Asymptomatic Infection: Imported: under Medical Observation: Shanghai data was reported at 13.000 Person in 12 Apr 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 17.000 Person for 11 Apr 2022. COVID-19: Asymptomatic Infection: Imported: under Medical Observation: Shanghai data is updated daily, averaging 0.000 Person from Mar 2020 (Median) to 12 Apr 2022, with 743 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 184.000 Person in 11 Mar 2022 and a record low of 0.000 Person in 15 Feb 2022. COVID-19: Asymptomatic Infection: Imported: under Medical Observation: Shanghai data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Health Commission. The data is categorized under High Frequency Database’s Disease Outbreaks – Table CN.GZ: COVID-19: Asymptomatic Infection.

The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines wanes over time and the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant led to the accelerated expansion of efforts for booster vaccination. However, the effect and contribution of booster vaccination with inactivated COVID-19 vaccines remain to be evaluated. We conducted a retrospective close contacts cohort study to analyze the epidemiological characteristics and Omicron infection risk, and to evaluate the effectiveness of booster vaccination with inactivated COVID-19 vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection, symptomatic COVID-19, and COVID-19 pneumonia during the outbreaks of Omicron BA.2 infection from 1 February to 31 July 2022 in Guangdong, China. A total of 46,547 close contacts were identified while 6.3% contracted Omicron BA.2 infection, 1.8% were asymptomatic infection, 4.1% developed mild COVID-19, and 0.3% had COVID-19 pneumonia. We found that females and individuals aged 0-17 or ≥ 60 years old were more prone to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The vaccinated individuals showed lower infection risk when compared with the unvaccinated people. The effectiveness of booster vaccination with inactivated COVID-19 vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection and symptomatic COVID-19 was 28.6% (95% CI: 11.6%, 35.0%) and 39.6% (95% CI: 30.0, 47.9) among adults aged ≥ 18 years old, respectively when compared with full vaccination. Booster vaccination provided a moderate level of protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection (VE: 49.9%, 95% CI: 22.3%-67.7%) and symptomatic COVID-19 (VE: 62.6%, 95% CI: 36.2%-78.0%) among adults aged ≥ 60 years old. Moreover, the effectiveness of booster vaccination was 52.2% (95% CI: 21.3%, 70.9%) and 83.8% (95% CI: 28.1%, 96.3%) against COVID-19 pneumonia in adults aged ≥ 18 and ≥ 60 years old, respectively. The reduction of absolute risk rate of COVID-19 pneumonia in the booster vaccination group was 0·96% (95% CI: 0.33%, 1.11%), and the number needed to vaccinate to prevent one case of COVID-19 pneumonia was 104 (95% CI: 91, 303) in adults aged ≥ 60 years old. In summary, booster vaccination with inactivated COVID-19 vaccines provides a low level of protection against infection and symptomatic in adults of 18-59 years old, and a moderate level of protection in older adults of more than 60 years old, but a high level of protection against COVID-19 pneumonia in older adults.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of cell phone dependence (CPD) on mental health among undergraduates during the COVID-19 pandemic and further identify the determinants that may affect their mental health in China.MethodsThe data were collected from 602 students at a medical school in Shanghai via an online survey conducted from December 2021 to February 2022. The Mobile Phone Addiction Index (MPAI) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) were applied to evaluate CPD and mental health, respectively. Independent sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to compare the means of continuous variables among categorical groups. Correlations between continuous variables were detected using Pearson's correlation analysis. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were employed to identify the determinants of mental health.ResultsAmong the 402 eligible students, 73.88% were women with an average age of 20.19 ± 2.36 years. On average, the DASS score was 32.20 ± 11.07, the CPD score was 36.23 ± 11.89, and the cell phone use duration was 7.67 ± 3.61 h/day. CPD was found to have a negative effect on mental health among college students in Shanghai. Additionally, cell phone use duration, age, being senior students, faculty-student relationship, insomnia, tobacco use, obesity, and life satisfaction were clarified as contributing factors to mental health among college students.ConclusionHigh degree of CPD could have a negative effect on college students' mental health, which might lead to some psychological problems. Appropriate actions and effective interventions are highly needed to prevent severe psychological injuries among college students in China.

CN: COVID-19: Asymptomatic Infection: Imported: under Medical Observation: Guizhou data was reported at 0.000 Person in 12 Dec 2022. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 Person for 11 Dec 2022. CN: COVID-19: Asymptomatic Infection: Imported: under Medical Observation: Guizhou data is updated daily, averaging 0.000 Person from Mar 2020 (Median) to 12 Dec 2022, with 987 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.000 Person in 28 Feb 2022 and a record low of 0.000 Person in 12 Dec 2022. CN: COVID-19: Asymptomatic Infection: Imported: under Medical Observation: Guizhou data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Health Commission. The data is categorized under High Frequency Database’s Disease Outbreaks – Table CN.GZ: COVID-19: Asymptomatic Infection.

As of May 2, 2023, the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) had been confirmed in almost every country in the world. The virus had infected over 687 million people worldwide, and the number of deaths had reached almost 6.87 million. The most severely affected countries include the U.S., India, and Brazil.

COVID-19: background information COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that had not previously been identified in humans. The first case was detected in the Hubei province of China at the end of December 2019. The virus is highly transmissible and coughing and sneezing are the most common forms of transmission, which is similar to the outbreak of the SARS coronavirus that began in 2002 and was thought to have spread via cough and sneeze droplets expelled into the air by infected persons.

Naming the coronavirus disease Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that can be transmitted between animals and people, causing illnesses that may range from the common cold to more severe respiratory syndromes. In February 2020, the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses and the World Health Organization announced official names for both the virus and the disease it causes: SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, respectively. The name of the disease is derived from the words corona, virus, and disease, while the number 19 represents the year that it emerged.

COVID-19: Number of Death: Year to Date: Hubei: Shiyan data was reported at 8.000 Person in 13 Dec 2022. This stayed constant from the previous number of 8.000 Person for 12 Dec 2022. COVID-19: Number of Death: Year to Date: Hubei: Shiyan data is updated daily, averaging 8.000 Person from Feb 2020 (Median) to 13 Dec 2022, with 1038 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.000 Person in 13 Dec 2022 and a record low of 1.000 Person in 12 Feb 2020. COVID-19: Number of Death: Year to Date: Hubei: Shiyan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Health Commission. The data is categorized under High Frequency Database’s Disease Outbreaks – Table CN.GZ: COVID-19: No of Death.

COVID-19: Number of Recovered: Imported: Year to Date: Liaoning data was reported at 343.000 Person in 17 Dec 2022. This stayed constant from the previous number of 343.000 Person for 16 Dec 2022. COVID-19: Number of Recovered: Imported: Year to Date: Liaoning data is updated daily, averaging 102.000 Person from Feb 2020 (Median) to 17 Dec 2022, with 1041 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 343.000 Person in 17 Dec 2022 and a record low of 1.000 Person in 17 Feb 2020. COVID-19: Number of Recovered: Imported: Year to Date: Liaoning data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Health Commission. The data is categorized under High Frequency Database’s Disease Outbreaks – Table CN.GZ: COVID-19: No of Recovered.

COVID-19: Number of Death: Year to Date: Hubei: Qianjiang data was reported at 9.000 Person in 13 Dec 2022. This stayed constant from the previous number of 9.000 Person for 12 Dec 2022. COVID-19: Number of Death: Year to Date: Hubei: Qianjiang data is updated daily, averaging 9.000 Person from Jan 2020 (Median) to 13 Dec 2022, with 1053 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.000 Person in 13 Dec 2022 and a record low of 1.000 Person in 06 Feb 2020. COVID-19: Number of Death: Year to Date: Hubei: Qianjiang data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Health Commission. The data is categorized under High Frequency Database’s Disease Outbreaks – Table CN.GZ: COVID-19: No of Death.

COVID-19: Number of Death: Year to Date: Beijing data was reported at 19.000 Person in 08 Jan 2023. This stayed constant from the previous number of 19.000 Person for 07 Jan 2023. COVID-19: Number of Death: Year to Date: Beijing data is updated daily, averaging 9.000 Person from Jan 2020 (Median) to 08 Jan 2023, with 1078 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 20.000 Person in 19 Dec 2022 and a record low of 1.000 Person in 06 Feb 2020. COVID-19: Number of Death: Year to Date: Beijing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Health Commission. The data is categorized under High Frequency Database’s Disease Outbreaks – Table CN.GZ: COVID-19: No of Death.