Jiangsu reports 38 new locally transmitted confirmed cases

Jiangsu recorded 38 new locally-transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases on Saturday, according to the provincial Health Commission on Sunday.

Among the cases, two were detected in Nanjing and 36 in Yangzhou. Since July 28, Yangzhou has reported 308 local cases, including 19 in serious condition and six in critical condition.

"Yangzhou finished the fourth round of nucleic acid testing collection in its downtown areas on Sunday," said Wang Jinsong, deputy director of the city's Health Commission, at a news conference Sunday. "Over 1.58 million samples have been collected and sent for test.

"As the designated hospital for COVID-19 patients, Yangzhou Third People's Hospital has received 158 patients," he said. "The work on its No 5 building has been completed and will be put into use after experts pass it. It will provide 53 more beds."

Seven areas have been classified as medium risk for COVID-19 in the Slender West Lake scenic area in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, an official said on Saturday.

"A mahjong lounge named Hongyuan located in the scenic has become the key site for the spread of the recent outbreak," said Liu Magen, deputy Party secretary of the scenic. "At least 18 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases have been traced to the lounge since July 28."

A 70-year-old woman surnamed Mao was diagnosed as confirmed case on July 28 after tests were conducted on close contacts of the first confirmed case in Yangzhou.

Before that, she often visited the lounge to play mahjong.

A total of 1,553 close contacts in the scenic area have been traced and put under quarantine for medical observation, said Liu.