Qingdao city is also stepping up measures to deal with its local outbreak. 

The city of Laixi, about 100 kilometers from downtown Qingdao, was hit by a COVID-19 outbreak at the beginning of this month.

It was first detected in a local middle school, so most cases are students and teachers. Officials and experts say all cases are caused by the Omicron variant. So far, the city has conducted seven rounds of mass testing.

DONG CHAO Party Secretary, Feicuicheng Community, Laixi "We have set up six testing sites in our community to improve efficiency. Sometimes mass testings are conducted overnight, but residents are very cooperative."

All cases so far show mild symptoms and their condition is currently stable. There have been more reports of asymptomatic cases in Laixi. Local officials say Omicron tends to be more infectious, but causes light clinical symptoms. Some cases even have no symptoms at all.

JIANG FACHUN Vice Director, Qingdao CDC "Most of the new cases were found in isolation sites. Just a small number are from locked-down residential areas."

After the virus outbreak, the local government took a series of measures to contain the virus. Now, travelling in and out of Laixi is restricted.

Schools are closed and classes have moved online. Students are provided with computers and other equipment to help them attend online classes.

Community staff and volunteers have been dispatched to help with daily needs of people living in locked-down communities.

Source: news.cgtn.com