SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China reported an increase in new COVID-19 cases caused by an increase in infections among previously asymptomatic patients in northeastern Jilin Province, official figures showed on Monday.
The total number of confirmed cases on the continent rose to 124 on January 24 from 80 a day earlier, the National Health Commission said in a statement amid the worst wave of new infections in China. from March 2020.
Of the 117 new local infections, Jilin accounted for 67 cases – all but three were previously asymptomatic patients who were reclassified as confirmed cases after the onset of symptoms. Heilongjiang reported 35 new cases, while Hebei reported 11 new cases.
Although the new infections remain at a fraction of those reported by other countries, the world’s most populous country is determined to keep the spread under control before next month’s New Year’s Eve, when millions of people travel to their home provinces.
Local authorities have implemented a combination of measures, including home quarantine of millions of people, travel passes, massive testing of COVID-19 and screening in an attempt to contain the disease.
The number of new asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed cases, fell to 45 of the 92 cases a day earlier.
The total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in mainland China is 89,115, while the death toll remains unchanged at 4,635.
Reporting by Jing Wang and Engen Tham; written by Se Young Lee; Edited by Christian Schmollinger and Michael Perry