Compared with the 2009 global flu season, the current severe case ratio amid COVID-19 is relatively lower.

With the weakening pathogenicity of the Omicron variant, the increasing uptake of vaccinations, and the growing experience of outbreak control and prevention, the rates of hospitalization, severe illness or fatality from Omicron have been significantly reduced, Tong Zhaohui, vice-president of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital said.

“The Omicron variant mainly affects the upper respiratory tract, causing mild symptoms like sore throat and coughing,” Tong said . According to him, in the ongoing outbreak in China, mild and asymptomatic cases accounted for 90 percent of the total infections, and there were fewer moderate cases (showing pneumonia-like symptoms). The proportion of severe cases (requiring high-flow oxygen therapy or receiving noninvasive, invasive ventilation) was even smaller.

“This is quite different from the situation in Wuhan (in late 2019), where the original strain caused the outbreak. At that time, there were more severe patients, with some young patients also presenting “white lungs” and suffering acute respiratory failure. While the current round of outbreak in Beijing shows only a few severe cases need ventilators to provide respiratory support in designated hospitals,” Tong said.

“Vulnerable groups like seniors with chronic conditions, cancer patients under chemoradiotherapy, and pregnant women during the third trimester usually don’t need special treatment as they show no apparent symptoms after being infected with the novel coronavirus. The medical staff will perform the treatment strictly by standards and norms only for those showing symptoms or who have abnormal lung CT scan findings,” he said.