Dalian reports two new COVID-19 cases

Dalian, Liaoning province, reported two new confirmed COVID-19 patients and six new asymptomatic cases on Monday, officials announced in a news release on Tuesday.

The city now has five confirmed cases and 12 asymptomatic cases under medical observation.

One confirmed patient, surnamed Pan, 36, is the wife of a previously diagnosed confirmed patient. The couple run a restaurant in Dalian Jinpu New Area. Another confirmed patient, surnamed Zhang, together with five other people, had dinner in the restaurant on Dec 12 between 5 pm and 9 pm.

Another confirmed patient, surnamed Kong, 62, is a resident of the Guangzhong street community of Jinpu.

A new community in Jinpu was classified as a medium-risk zone for COVID-19, said Zhao Lian, deputy director of Dalian's health commission, at a news conference on Tuesday.

The port city is carrying out large-scale nucleic acid testing and screening in its Jinpu New Area, Pulandian district and Dalianwan area, Zhao said.

Around 1.25 million people have been tested for novel coronavirus in Jinpu, with 111,344 people tested in the Dalianwan area and 60,335 tested in Pulandian. All of the results have come back negative, Zhao said.

Wang Jie, deputy director of the administrative committee of Dalian Jinpu New Area, said at the news conference that Jinpu is carrying out rapid nucleic acid testing for all residents, with an emphasis on tests in key areas to quickly cut off channels of infection.

Residents of some key areas have taken multiple coronavirus tests. Starting on Tuesday, some are undergoing second and third tests in the key areas, she added.

There are 26 designated quarantine hotels in Jinpu. Some 2,013 people are in quarantine.

Meanwhile, Dalian Jinpu New Area is strengthening the production, supply, supervision and storage of urgently needed materials for epidemic prevention and control. It is also ensuring adequate supplies of daily necessities, Wang said.