Chinese medical experts predicted COVID-19 will touch its peak in late February. (Image via Taraf.ID)

COVID-19 will touch its peak late Feb: Experts

Since first detected in December 2019 and January 2020 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, Central China, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been viral, infecting more and more people across the globe. The epidemic pushes epidemiologists to predict the peak of the COVID-19.

But, what is the “peak” of an epidemic? Others say that it happens when an infection rate goes the highest in one day; the others say that it happens when more than a million people are infected.

The data of the COVID-19’s peak is needed to prepare healthcare and hospitals. On the other side, the data is useful to predict when will be the right time to reopen Wuhan and the surrounding cities. Since January, Wuhan and its surrounding cities are under virtual lockdown by the Chinese government.

While it is predictable, the date might not be 100 percent accurate if the formulae and methods are incomplete.

One of the most renowned doctors in China also the chairman of experts to contain COVID-19, Zhong Nanshan, said that the peak of the novel coronavirus will happen in late February 2020. Zhong rose to fame in 2003 when he first identified SARS.

The prediction was made using the travel ban and the extension of the holiday by the Chinese government. Zhong also urged the Chinese government to permanently ban the trade of wild animals as one of the ways to contain the virus.

Despite his fame, many medical experts and epidemiologists said that the peak might last longer due to the limited diagnostics test and medical teams in China. Even, some said that Zhong is trying to console the Chinese people amid the medical turmoil.

Meanwhile, other epidemiologists said that the peak might occur anytime, even today. Since Chinese people are allowed to work after a long holiday, they said that the peak might occur in late March or May 2020. They predicted that about 40 percent of China’s population will be infected by COVID-19, and only half of them will show symptoms.

Source: https://bit.ly/2V4ktIk