Imported cases raise increasing concerns

Mandatory testing of all foreign arrivals routine as domestic numbers plummet

Health officials and experts are calling for people to remain vigilant against the novel coronavirus and are tightening controls on inbound arrivals and asymptomatic cases as the country still faces the risk of imported infections and the threat of asymptomatic carriers.

The Chinese mainland added 44 imported cases and one domestic case associated with an asymptomatic individual on Saturday, according to the National Health Commission. There were 54 new cases on Friday－all related to overseas travel－and 55 new cases on Thursday, one of which was transmitted locally.

As of Saturday, the number of imported infections nationwide had risen to 693 from 42 countries as the virus continues to rage around the world. Meanwhile, domestic spread of the virus has been basically contained, according to health officials.

Commission spokesman Mi Feng said on Sunday that seven countries made up 83.4 percent of all imported cases on the Chinese mainland.

"It is possible that another round of infection spread will occur as a result," Mi said, adding that sporadic domestic infections also pose risks.