Of the new local cases, 78 were reported in Shaanxi, five in Guangxi, and four in Yunnan, the commission said.

Also reported were 53 new imported cases in 11 provincial-level regions, according to the commission.

Friday also saw six new suspected cases reported in Shanghai and Zhejiang, all of whom were from outside the mainland.

No new deaths from COVID-19 were reported on the day, it added.