China reports 54 new coronavirus cases, no domestic transmissions
28 March, 2020
China's National Health Commission said on Saturday that 54 new coronavirus cases were reported on the mainland on Friday, all involving so-called imported cases. There have been 55 new cases a day earlier.
The full total number of infections for mainland China now stands at 81,394, with the death toll rising by 3 to 3,295, it said.
Hubei province, the hardest-hit region in the country, had 67,801 coronavirus cases and 3,177 deaths as of end-Friday.
Effective Saturday, China has temporarily suspended the entry of foreign nationals with valid Chinese visas and residence permits. The brand new restriction reflects worries in Beijing over the risk posed by so-called imported cases of the virus after widespread lockdowns within China helped to bring domestic transmissions under control.
Beijing in addition has ordered airlines to sharply cut international flights from Sunday.
A commentary in the Communist Party's official People's Daily newspaper on Saturday reflected the concern.
"At this time, we should be extremely vigilant and cautious, and we should avoid the post-epidemic relaxation from coming too early, leading to the increased loss of all our achievements," it said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping told U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday that China would support U.S. efforts to fight the coronavirus.
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in america rose by at least 16,000 on Friday to practically 102,000, the almost all of any country.
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