[Epoch Times] China is experiencing a resurgence of COVID-19, with patients reporting symptoms of severe, burning throat pain, experts say. "Razor blade throat" is a term used in China to describe severe throat pain, akin to swallowing shattered glass or razor blades.Dr. Li Tongzeng, director of the Infectious Diseases Department at Beijing You’an Hospital, told Chinese media that the new wave of COVID-19, which began in March, is expected to peak in late May.
According to Zhong, the dominant strain in this wave is the Omicron XDV variant, which is highly transmissible but relatively less virulent. Early symptoms include fever, headaches, fatigue, a burning throat, and severe coughing.
A female Beijing resident, infected for nearly 10 days, told the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times: "I had a fever, sore throat, yellow phlegm with blood streaks, nosebleeds, cough, sneezing, a runny nose, dizziness, and no energy. It’s terrifying—I sneezed once and my nose started bleeding, which scared me to death. This round of COVID is too severe."
COVID-19 cases have also risen in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
Dr. Zhong said that from a pathogenic perspective, the COVID-19 virus may reduce its virulence to ensure its survival, but it is too early to judge whether it will become "flu-like" in the future.
FWIW, I tracked CDC upper respiratory deaths for three years and deaths from regular ol' pneumonia was always just 20-30% less than COVID deaths. There are two established vaccines for pneumonia, covering 35 strains. I've had both vaccines, and still had pneumonia twice. Strangely, pneumonia never caught the media's attention.