How Should the Public Scientifically Respond to the Reappearance of a COVID-19 "Mini-Peak"?

Recently, several cities in China have experienced a "small surge" in COVID-19 infections, leading to a renewed public concern about the pandemic. According to data released by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), by early May 2025, the proportion of COVID-19 positive samples among influenza-like illness cases in outpatient and emergency departments reached 16.2%, doubling from just 7.5% in early April.

Moreover, similar upward trends in COVID-19 surveillance data have been reported worldwide. From March to early May this year, regions including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Singapore, the United Kingdom, France, Brazil, and Norway have all reported increases in COVID-19 infections. For example, in Hong Kong, over 83% of newly reported COVID-19 related deaths were among patients aged 65 and older, and more than 90% had underlying health conditions or comorbidities, highlighting that the elderly remain a key vulnerable group requiring focused protection.

How long will this wave of COVID-19 transmission last? How can we determine if we are infected? And how should the public respond scientifically?

Which COVID-19 variant is currently predominant?

Since the outbreak, the COVID-19 virus has continuously evolved—from the early Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants to the later Omicron variants—showing increasing transmissibility and immune escape capabilities, while overall pathogenicity has tended to decrease.

Professor Lu Jian from the School of Life Sciences at Peking University stated, "Viral mutation is an ongoing process. Through genomic sequencing and big data analysis, researchers aim to stay 'one step ahead of the virus' by predicting its mutation trends." According to global viral genome surveillance data, the currently predominant COVID-19 variant belongs to the Omicron lineage, specifically the LP.8.1 subvariant. This strain exhibits strong transmissibility and is expected to remain the dominant circulating variant in the short term.

However, the dominant variant may vary across countries and regions. The public should rely on authoritative information released by national health commissions and disease control centers.

How can one quickly determine if they are infected with COVID-19?

When experiencing symptoms such as cough, fever, or runny nose, it can be difficult for the public to distinguish between the common cold, influenza, or COVID-19 infection. In fact, various pathogens can cause acute respiratory symptoms, and treatment strategies differ depending on the pathogen, making rapid and accurate identification of the infection type critically important.

Currently, convenient and efficient rapid testing methods are available. Hotgen's COVID-19 antigen rapid detection kit (colloidal gold) can deliver results within 15 minutes, significantly enhancing the public's ability for self-screening and home protection.

Hotgen COVID-19 antigen detection kit (colloidal gold): A globally certified trusted choice

Using colloidal gold technology, Hotgen's COVID-19 antigen rapid detection kit colloidal gold is designed for self-testing, with simple operation and intuitive results. Notably, it is among the few COVID-19 antigen self-test products simultaneously certified by authoritative institutions in China, the European Union, and the United States, meeting advanced international standards for safety and accuracy.

In the face of high uncertainty in viral transmission, the public should enhance self-protection awareness. Particularly for the elderly and high-risk groups with underlying health conditions, it is essential to keep rapid COVID-19 testing tools on hand to achieve early detection, early isolation, and early treatment. As the pandemic continues to evolve, scientific prevention remains imperative. Whether responding to localized outbreaks or protecting vulnerable populations, the Hotgen COVID-19 antigen rapid detection kit is your reliable "health guardian" at all times.