The category of clinically diagnosed cases, referring to as suspected cases with CT scan images showing characteristics of viral pneumonia, has been removed from confirmed cases in the latest diagnosis and treatment program of the COVID-19 published on Wednesday.

The calculation method, added to the fifth version of the program by the National Health Commission (NHC) earlier this month only for the hardest-hit Hubei Province, had led to a sharp uptick in total confirmed cases in the province on February 13.  

Read more:  
Coronavirus: What are 'clinically diagnosed cases,' and what's behind the surge in Hubei? 

Then why is the category removed now? 

Speaking at a press conference Thursday in Beijing, Wang Guiqiang, director of the Infectious Disease Department of Peking University's No. 1 Hospital, explained the changes. 

Wang said the category was created to offer patients waiting for the nucleic acid testing timely treatment to reduce the mortality rate. 

The situation in the province, however, has changed, as the capacity of nucleic acid testing has been greatly improved, which can quickly and accurately screen out patients infected by the virus, said Wang.

The latest diagnosis standard is now the same nationwide: suspected cases and confirmed cases. 

As of Wednesday, Hubei reported 49,665 confirmed cases and 3,456 suspected cases. 

The NHC has been updating the program as they gain a better understanding of the virus and accumulate more experience in its diagnosis and treatment. 

Aerosol transmission possible under special conditions

The latest version also added that aerosol transmission of the novel coronavirus is possible if one is exposed to a highly concentrated mixture in an enclosed area for a long time, like the situation on the cruise ship Diamond Princess, where more than 600 passengers and crew aboard were infected by the virus.

Aerosol transmission refers to a condition when the respiratory droplets lose water in the air, and the leftover proteins and pathogens form nuclei or dust floats far away in the form of aerosols, causing long-distance transmissions.

"The aerosol transmission happens conditionally," said Wang, stressing that it is very important to know that aerosol transmission is not always possible.

Suggestions to recovered patients  

In the latest program, recovered patients discharged from the hospital are suggested to stay at home for quarantine and take their body temperature regularly for two weeks, as their immune systems can still be relatively weak.   

In the second and fourth week of being discharged, they are supposed to go back to the hospital for a checkup. 

Use of TCM for treatment highlighted 

The new program also highlights the importance of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) in treatment. 

The combination of TCM and Western medicine in dealing with the COVID-19 has proven effective, said Yu Yanhong, an NHC official, during a video press conference Thursday. 

The method can rapidly improve the condition of those with mild symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, weakness and lack of appetite, and cut the duration of hospital stays, said Yu, also the deputy head of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 

Experts also find that the combination can help prevent mild symptoms from developing into severe and critical conditions, thus reducing the death rate, she noted. 

(With input from Xinhua)