(This Article is a news transcript from CGTN: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-01-08/VHJhbnNjcmlwdDcwMTE3/index.html)

As China's top expert in the intensive care unit, Kang Yan, from West China Hospital, speaks to CGTN about the current status of treatment for severe patients and why it's important to act reasonably when using medicines. Zheng Songwu reports from the city of Chengdu.

KANG YAN Professor, Intensive Care Unit West China Hospital "The Spring Festival is coming and there are very likely to have new infections and severe cases due to the travel rush. So hospitals are preparing well for the new wave of infections, expanding their medical resources and training more medical workers. The treatment and medical systems for severe cases in China are mature since it's been three years and all hospitals are experienced in distinguishing people with underlying high risks, making treatment plans for patients with high risks and those in critical condition. But it's still necessary to train more medical workers and to raise their awareness of patients in critical condition and offer them treatment under the guidance of our country."

ZHENG SONGWU Chengdu, Sichuan Province "Medicines like diosmectite are popular among people as some of them believed that Omicron XBB sub-variant can cause diarrhea. What is your take on that?"

KANG YAN Professor, Intensive Care Unit West China Hospital "XBB sub-variant appears to be more immune evasive, thus more infectious. But even the U.S. CDC has no evidence that it causes more severe illness, so it's a risk to buy and take those medicines such as antibiotics. For example, electrolyte replacement should be done with the advice of doctors in treating diarrhea according to its pathogeny. So I believe the best way is to ask your medical staff friends or relatives for advice before using them. People should also be positive otherwise the blue mood will affect their immunity."

ZHENG SONGWU Chengdu, Sichuan Province "Are there any new challenges in containing COVID after China reopens the international travel industry?"

KANG YAN Professor, Intensive Care Unit West China Hospital "Theoretically, there will be more tourists traveling to China, as well as a new sub-variant, which is the risk China has to take. But just like XBB, the new sub-variant overall is related to Omicron, there is no evidence that it can cause more severe illness. Hospitals in China have done preparations for a long time for the travel rush of re-openness and the Spring Festival. I believe they can handle this. Moreover, China's National Health Commission is considerate and has also organized top medical experts to provide guidance for ICU departments in every province, upgrading their treatment capability and medical system to handle the coming challenges. We visited more than 10 hospitals in Sichuan and Yunnan and they did well in helping people in critical condition, even though there is still room for improvement."