Shanghai reports three asymptomatic cases

Shanghai reported three asymptomatic COVID-19 cases outside the quarantined and controlled areas on Wednesday.

The infected cases were found separately in Putuo, Pudong and Baoshan districts. A total of 343 close contacts and 379 secondary contacts have been identified and quarantined. The testing of 1,519 people with exposure risks is underway.

The residential compounds of the three cases have been marked as high-risk zones and locked down. District governments said they have organized and provided supplies to the quarantined people.

Zhao Dandan, deputy director of Shanghai Health Commission, said the three cases were discovered during routine nucleic acid tests, and the case in Baoshan district was related to the one in Pudong. As of press time, epidemiological surveys haven't found relations between them and previous cases.

Liu Ping, municipal official overseeing the city's nuclei acid testing efforts, said the government will extend free nucleic acid test services to August 31 and all residents are required to take at least one test every seven days.

Those who fail to get tested will receive yellow health codes, which will restrict their mobility in public spaces except for hospital visits, Liu said.

The city will provide nucleic test services at door steps for the elderly, disabled persons and people with special needs, he added.