Harbin city in China’s northernmost Heilongjiang province reported 12 new asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 on Jan 18, according to a press conference held by Harbin’s municipal government.

From Jan 12 to 17, Harbin reported five confirmed cases and three asymptomatic cases; all were people returning to Harbin from Wangkui county in Heilongjiang’s Suihua city.

All confirmed cases and asymptomatic infections have been treated and observed in designated hospitals, and their conditions are stable.

Since the occurrence of a new outbreak of COVID-19 in Harbin, the city has tightened COVID-19 prevention and control measures.

Harbin has screened 28,070 people arriving in or returning to Harbin from Suihua city since Jan 12, especially those coming from Wangkui county.

A total of 667 close contacts of the confirmed cases and 3,657 sub-contacts were located and quarantined.

Also, the residences of confirmed cases, asymptomatic infected persons and their close contacts have been thoroughly disinfected. People who live in the same buildings as COVID-19 patients have been sent to centralized quarantine sites.

Activity venues frequented by confirmed cases and asymptomatic patients have been closed and controlled.

All people arriving in Harbin from overseas, or people coming to or returning to Harbin from domestic high-risk or medium-risk epidemic areas, will be expected to undergo isolation and nucleic acid testing, including 14 days of centralized quarantine and medical observation at a government facility and seven days of home quarantine.

During this period, three nucleic acid tests and one serum antibody test will be performed.