The commission states that they will "optimize the clinical categorization and treatment method of the virus".

In addition, a positive antibody test will be mandatory before patients are discharged from hospital.

Leaked document: 250 million infected

China is currently experiencing one of the largest outbreaks of covid-19 since abandoning the strict zero-tolerance strategy.

According to leaked documents, nearly 250 million people were infected in December.

The announcement about the adjusted guidelines in healthcare comes shortly after several countries - including Sweden - decided to introduce requirements for a negative covid test for travelers from the country.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the decision was unacceptable and warned that it might "take countermeasures".