Returnee from overseas tests positive for COVID-19

The health authority in Qingdao, Shandong province, said it has tracked down 60 contacts of a person with COVID-19 who returned from overseas.

The infected person is a 38-year-old Chinese man surnamed Zhang who had been working in Italy. His test turned out to be positive in Qingdao on Sunday after he completed 14 days of quarantine in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, according to a report by the Qingdao municipal health commission.

Zhang arrived in Nanjing from Milan, Italy, by air on March 26. He repeatedly tested negative, the report said. But after the quarantine ended on Friday, Zhang took a train from Nanjing to Qingdao. Upon arrival, he was sent into isolation in the city's Shibei district for further medical observation. His latest nucleic test was positive on Sunday and he was immediately sent to a designated hospital for observation, the report said.

Experts then confirmed his infection and he is now isolated and receiving treatment.

Authorities issued an emergency notice on Sunday evening about the search for possible contacts who had taken the same train as Zhang. The notice emphasized that passengers who shared the same carriage or restroom with Zhang should take care of themselves, report to relevant health authorities and implement necessary prevention and control measures.

The contacts who have been identified so far were sent to isolation and are being observed, according to local authorities.