China's Vice-Premier Sun urges people to return normal as possible

This andated file photo shows a medical worker taking a swab sample from a resident for nucleic acid testing in Chongqing. PHOTO XINHUA CHONGQING Chinese Vice-Premier Sun Chunlan asked local authorities of southwest China's Chongqing municipality to try their best to contain the COVID 19 outbreak and return people's life and work to normal as soon as possible.

Sun made remarks in an inspection of Chongqing. She arrived in the municipality to lead local COVID 19 prevention and control work on Monday.

Sun stressed on more effective transfer of patients and on-site epidemiological investigation, more resources and manpower to regions that reported serious outbreaks, and stricter health monitoring on key areas such as nursing homes, colleges and prisons, as well as risky groups such as people working at mail and logistics services.

Sun urged that people's basic needs are met, as well as their basic life and medical needs.

The National Health Commission said on Thursday 3,041 locally transmitted confirmed COVID 19 cases were reported by the Chinese mainland.

The commission said that 1,752 COVID - 19 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery on the mainland on Thursday.

There was no new deaths from COVID - 19, with the total death toll at 5,232.