63 new locally-transmitted virus cases reported in NE China's Jilin

Northeast China's Jilin province reported 63 new locally-transmitted confirmed cases of COVID-19 and one asymptomatic carrier on Saturday, the provincial health commission said on Sunday.

Among the 63 confirmed cases, 57 were previously asymptomatic carriers that were diagnosed as confirmed cases on Saturday.

As of Saturday, there were 349 confirmed cases, including 37 in serious condition, 21 asymptomatic carriers and a suspected case in the province.

A new makeshift rehabilitation hospital with 310 beds in Tonghua was put into operation on Saturday, local media reported

The first batch of seven coronavirus patients were transferred to the hospital on Saturday evening for 14-day medical observation and further rehabilitation treatment after being discharged from the hospitals.

"With an area of 5,300 square meters, the hospital opened early morning on Tuesday at a local indoor stadium," Che Mingliang, deputy director of the city's health commission, said at a news conference. "Over 130 workers spent only two days finishing the fundamental construction work, including partition walls, power and water supplies and firefighting equipment."

Some basic cultural facilities, WiFi coverage and all kinds of living facilities have been prepared, he said, adding that there is a separate living area for medical workers to prevent cross-infection.

As of Saturday, there were 248 confirmed cases and 16 asymptomatic carriers in Tonghua, which was heavily affected by the recent outbreak.

Neighboring Heilongjiang province detected nine new locally-transmitted confirmed cases on Saturday, the first day in single digits after more than 20 days of double-digit rises.

The province also reported four asymptomatic carriers on Saturday, the provincial health commission said on Sunday.

Data from the commission showed all 13 cases were found in Suihua city's Wangkui county and the provincial capital city, Harbin, the two major affected areas in the recent outbreak.

As of Saturday, there were 500 confirmed cases and 539 asymptomatic carriers in the province.