Photo: Xinhua

Public health experts warned of over-optimism among the public and stressed epidemic prevention amid the growing optimism caused by reported zero new cases around many regions in China and downgrading of the public alerts. 

A total of 24 provincial-level regions across China on Monday reported zero new cases of COVID-19 infection, including municipalities with populations of more than 15 million such as Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin.

Earlier on Monday morning, public health authorities in South China's Guangdong Province lowered the emergency response for the prevention and control of COVID19 from level one to level two.

Besides Guangdong, five other provinces also lowered their emergency response levels. Gansu, Liaoning, Guizhou and Yunnan adjusted their emergency response levels from level two to level three, while Shanxi lowered its level from level one to level two. 

Meanwhile, things are also getting better in the epicenter of the outbreak: 398 new infections were reported in Hubei Province on Monday, suggesting the number of new infections were being curbed. Besides, six cities in Hubei reported zero new COVID19 cases on Sunday.

"The reported zero cases and downgraded emergency response levels only illustrate China's joint efforts of curbing the coronavirus have worked. However, it is too early to celebrate victory," a Beijing-based disease control and prevention expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Monday. 

Some pictures on Chinese social media showed that some people outside Hubei started to appear in crowded places, such as attractions, restaurants and supermarkets.

However, with optimism growing, some analysts warned that residents should not take the situation lightly, and must cooperate with the government's epidemic control work while properly implementing self-protection and prevention measures.

China still had 49,824 COVID-19 patients as of Sunday, and 45,054 were in Hubei Province, according to the National Health Commission. 

The anonymous experts noted that it needs at least two incubation periods — two to four weeks, in other words — before the epidemic really stabilizes in China, especially considering the grim situation in Hubei Province. 

She also warned of the risk of repeated and localized outbreaks in certain areas caused by carelessness about prevention, especially in big cities with dense populations.

"People around the world should all seriously pay attention to COVID19 as there is even a risk of a global pandemic. Italy and South Korea are now facing a tough situation in epidemic control. Countries with poor public health care, such as Indonesia and Cambodia, simply do not have the capacity to detect infections and conduct prevention measures timely," said the expert. 

With 152, Italy has by far the highest number of COVID19 infections in Europe. South Korea reported 833 cases and Japan reported 844 cases including nearly 700 related to the Diamond Princess cruise as of Monday afternoon. The COVID-19 coronavirus has affected at least 35 countries and territories around the world. 

Considering the relatively long incubation period of the coronavirus and its unknown characteristics, the expert stressed that hygiene and epidemic prevention are still of vital importance, and it is the government's responsibility to remind the public to take preventive measures to avoid large gatherings and over-optimism.