China recently reported its first case of the XBB.1.5 strain, after which many others mentioned on social networking sites that they were running a fever and feared they might be infected with the novel coronavirus again.

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said on Saturday that 15 local variants of the disease had emerged since December, including the XBB.1.5 case. That so much attention is being paid to the XBB.1.5 case shows the extent of public anxiety.

Data from Feb 16 shows that only 1.1 percent of people in China had tested positive after nucleic acid testing nationwide, down from 29.2 percent during the peak; visits to fever clinics had also dipped by 95.7 percent.

The public is also confused about the disappearance of COVID-19, wondering if it is over or if there will be a new wave.

As more than 80 percent of people in the country have been infected with the virus, forming a strong "immunity barrier", the possibility of a new wave emerging in the near future is very low. However, the risk of new infections emerging will increase once the immunity ebbs. But it is a general trend that the pandemic situation will gradually become mild and stable.

The current low prevalence of COVID-19 offers an opportunity for the country to improve its pandemic prevention and control capabilities. Studies show that people who have been vaccinated and have been infected with COVID-19 once have the strongest protection against severe symptoms and hospitalization. Previous infection and vaccination, known as "hybrid immunity", can prevent more than 97 percent of severe symptoms or hospitalization.

As of Feb 16, 93 percent of people in China had been vaccinated with the first dose and 90.6 percent fully vaccinated. The proportion is high, but the coverage rate of the elderly is relatively low, and "hybrid immunity" has not been widely formed. Therefore, everyone, particularly the elderly and those with underlying conditions, should take advantage of this period to get vaccinated.

The novel coronavirus, meanwhile, continues to mutate and the greater transmission rate of variants such as XBB.1.5 is indeed a matter of concern, but the gradual decline of its virulence, mild symptoms after infection, more effective vaccines and the availability of more drugs also mean there is no need for people to be excessively concerned.