IMAGE1
This photo, taken on April 8, 2020, shows a worker producing face masks that will be exported, at a factory in Nanchang, in China’s central Jiangxi Province. (By AFP)

China has reported 63 new cases of infection with the new coronavirus, up by one case from its last daily tally.

China’s National Health Commission said on Thursday that the mainland had confirmed 63 new cases on Wednesday, up from 62 the day before.

Of the new infections, 61 involved travelers arriving from overseas, according to the commission.

The latest figures brought the total number of confirmed cases in China to 81,865.

Thursday marked the second straight day that China reported an increase in its new coronavirus cases, with the number of infections involving incoming travelers hitting a two-week high.

The new coronavirus, which causes a respiratory disease known as COVID-19, emerged in the city of Wuhan in December last year, incrementally affecting the rest of the world.

The virus has so far infected 1,518,719 people worldwide, and over 88,500 have died, according to a running count by worldometers.info.

The coronavirus has also wreaked havoc on the global economy as many countries have adopted severe measures to contain the outbreak, including imposing lockdowns and closing businesses and borders, as well as limiting public gatherings.

The world economy is expected to see a sharp downturn, and several countries could plunge into recession this year.

Chinese authorities have urged people to stay vigilant amid concerns of a second wave of infection in the country. This is while infections have fallen from their peak in February after China locked down several cities and imposed strict travel restrictions.

On Monday, China reported no coronavirus deaths for the first time since the outbreak began and a drop in new cases, but a northern town started restricting the movement of its residents amid concerns of a second wave of infections in the country.

China has managed to curtail its coronavirus epidemic. The country’s main concern now is managing infected travelers arriving from abroad and asymptomatic cases, who exhibit no clinical symptoms such as a fever or a cough.

The total number of imported coronavirus cases reached 1,103 as of Wednesday, comprising mostly returning Chinese students.

Chinese authorities have warned that people with no symptoms - which the mainland does not include in its tally of confirmed cases - are still infectious and carry a risk of transmission.

As of Wednesday, 3,335 people in China have died of the coronavirus disease. Wuhan, a city of 11 million people, accounts for more than 75% of the fatalities.

SOURCE: PRESS TV