SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China reported an increase in new cases of COVID-19 driven by an increase in infections among previously asymptomatic patients in northeastern Jilin province, official data showed on Monday,
The total number of confirmed cases on the continent rose to 124 on January 24, 1980 the day before, the National Health Commission said in a statement, amid the worst wave of new infections that China has seen since March 2020.
Of the 117 new infectious sites, Jilin was responsible for 67 cases – all but three of which were previously asymptomatic patients who were reclassified as confirmed cases after developing symptoms. Heilongjiang reported 35 new cases, while Hebei reported 11 new cases.
Although 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 Lunar New Year holiday, when millions travel to their provinces.
Local authorities have implemented a combination of measures, including home quarantine for millions, travel brakes, mass 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, dropped from 92 cases a day earlier to 45.
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; Edition by Christian Schmollinger and Michael Perry