SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China reported a rise in new COVID-19 cases caused by an increase in infections in previously asymptomatic patients in northeastern Jilin province, official data showed on Monday.
On January 24, the total number of confirmed cases on the peninsula went from 80 to 80, a day earlier, according to the National Health Commission in a statement, amid the worst wave of new infections China has seen since March 2020.
Of the 117 new local infections, Jilin accounted for 67 cases, all but three, previously asymptomatic patients who were reclassified as confirmed cases after developing symptoms. Heilongjiang reported 35 new cases, while Hebei reported 11 new cases.
While 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 holidays, when millions travel to their provinces of origin.
Local authorities have implemented a combination of measures, such as home quarantine of millions of people, travel sidewalks, massive COVID-19 testing and screening to try 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 number of deaths remains unchanged at 4,635.
Reports by Jing Wang and Engen Tham; writing by Se Young Lee; Edited by Christian Schmollinger and Michael Perry