The National Health Commission (NHC) has released the 10th edition of the national COVID-19 Diagnosis and Treatment Plan, introducing multiple changes to diagnosis and treatment guidelines, standards for admissions, discharge, and other protocols. The document aims to enhance treatment and diagnosis efficiencies, reflecting the evolving understanding and management of COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Changes and Guidelines<\/strong> The new document subdivides COVID-19 patients into four stages\u2014mild, moderate, severe, and critical\u2014based on the severity of their condition. COVID-19 is now classified as a Category B infectious disease, meaning that centralized isolation for related patients is no longer required, and infected patients may be admitted by medical institutions of all levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The updated plan includes several notable changes, such as altering the Chinese wording for COVID-19 from \u201cnovel coronavirus pneumonia\u201d to \u201cnovel coronavirus infection.\u201d Antigen tests are now permitted to support diagnosis, and physicians are no longer required to declare “suspected COVID” cases based solely on clinical symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n