Jilin reports potential super-spreader in COVID-19 surge

Northeast China's Jilin province reported 10 new locally transmitted confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 63 asymptomatic carriers on Saturday, the province's health commission said on Sunday.

Six of the confirmed cases were reported as asymptomatic carriers previously, including a 45-year-old male patient feared behind a potential super-spreading event in the province.

Epidemiological investigations showed that nearly 100 cases in the cities of Tonghua and Gongzhuling were in ways connected to the 45-year-old salesman reported as asymptomatic carrier on Wednesday.

The man arrived in Gongzhuling from Heilongjiang on Jan 7 and held a course in a healthcare club on Jan 8.

He then travelled to Tonghua on Jan 9 and gave courses in a healthcare club on Jan 10 and 11, respectively.

He was found to be positive for coronavirus during tests conducted on close contacts on Jan 12 and was diagnosed as asymptomatic patient.

Most of the cases reported in the two cities were seniors, including several over 80 years old and had participated in his courses.

Neighboring Heilongjiang identified 12 new local cases and 19 asymptomatic carriers on Saturday, the province's health commission reported on Sunday.

Among the confirmed cases, 11 cases, including six previously asymptomatic carriers, were found in Suihua city's Wangkui county, where the first asymptomatic case of the recent outbreak was reported on Jan 10. The other was reported in the city of Daqing.

The asymptomatic cases were reported in the cities of Suihua and Qiqihar.