The government has reportedly given preliminary approval for two new vaccines to combat the new XBB variants of the virus, and three to four other vaccines are expected to receive approval soon.

However, public health experts believe that a vigorous vaccination booster program and a ready supply of antivirals in hospitals are essential to avoid another surge in mortality among the elderly population.

The previous zero-COVID policy was abandoned last winter, and the number of cases increased, but the public health emergency was declared over in May.

Despite the new wave being less severe, public health experts believe that a substantial health impact on the community is still possible.

Olivia Zhang, who works at an amusement park in Beijing, believes the impact of the Wuhan coronavirus on her workplace has been minimal.

Some students at a university in Nanjing have been quarantined after testing positive for the virus, while others have self-quarantined at school to avoid infecting their family members.

Several online complaints have also emerged about the university's response to the outbreak.