The number of patients treated at Guangzhou hospitals and clinics climbed at least 30 percent over the past week.

Officials attributed the rise to the abnormally cold weather.

Most patients have been the elderly and children who contracted severe colds and other respiratory infections, Li Hancheng, a doctor at the Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, said Sunday.

Some patients had required emergency medical treatment, Li said.

Residents, particularly the elderly and children, are being urged to keep warm and dry.

"Winter and the coming spring are usually the peak periods for cold and respiratory tract diseases in Guangdong," Li told the China Daily.

Guangzhou was affected by a cold front sweeping in from North China, as the mercury dropped to less than 2 degrees Celsius on Sunday after a record low of 2.1 degrees on New Year's Day. They were the lowest temperatures recorded in the city for the past 55 years.

But the cold weather did not prevent local residents and tourists from going sightseeing and shopping during the New Year holidays.

Major scenic spots, including Baiyun Mountain, Yuexiu Park, Guangzhou Zoo and the new Children's Park all reported big increases in tourists at the weekend.

The city's Beijinglu, Shangxiajiu, China Plaza and Teen Plaza, the four major business centers, had more than 3 million visitors Saturday, a big increase over the same period last year.

The cold weather has also helped promote sales of cotton coats, leather jackets, electric warmers and other products to keep out the cold.

Editor: Catherine