China sees sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in June

China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported nearly 79,000 new domestic COVID-19 cases in June, a 3.6‑fold increase over May. All 3,741 virus samples sequenced were Omicron subvariants, and positivity among patients with flu‑like illness rose to 9.6% in the latest surveillance report, second only to influenza. The surge was most evident in Guangdong province, where residents reported severe symptoms and health officials warned of a possible summer wave that could coincide with heightened influenza activity.

At the same time, the National Administration of Disease Prevention and Control described the overall national situation as a low‑level, stable circulation of COVID‑19 and other respiratory pathogens, emphasizing integrated management of seasonal illnesses. Authorities continue to monitor trends through a network of sentinel hospitals and have issued health advisories covering dengue, chikungunya, influenza, COVID‑19, and other diseases. Concerns persist about the accuracy of official figures, with critics noting limited testing and potential under‑reporting.