China's Zhejiang tightens control on asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19

East China's Zhejiang Province will step up efforts in reducing the risk of asymptomatic transmission of COVID-19, with all people tested positive without showing any symptoms treated in strict accordance with the requirements for confirmed cases.

Once verified, asymptomatic carriers will be immediately admitted to designated hospitals and put under concentrated medical observation for 14 days, the provincial epidemic prevention and control authorities said.

They will undergo another 14-day quarantine at a designated location after being discharged upon two consecutive negative nucleic acid test results, with a sampling interval of more than 24 hours.

Lab tests will be conducted for all personnel entering Zhejiang from overseas at the beginning and end of their concentrated quarantine to screen asymptomatic carriers of the disease and target possible close contacts.

Interim flights from Milan to Wenzhou in the province have been opened, giving priority to elderly, weak and pregnant overseas Chinese needing to return to Zhejiang.

Zhejiang had reported 37 imported cases of COVID-19 as of Sunday, with one domestic case reported on March 26.