Between 00:00 and 24:00, June 15, two new imported cases of COVID-19 were reported in Jiangsu province. The two patients, who traveled from Russia and Namibia respectively, are now under isolated treatment at designated hospitals in Nanjing and Changzhou.

The new report brings the province's total confirmed cases to 738 (including 107 imported ones) since the pandemic began last year. As of this update, all but 17 imported cases have been discharged from hospitals.

On June 15, Jiangsu reported two new asymptomatic cases from outside the Chinese mainland. As of 24:00 of the day, 28 asymptomatic cases were under medical supervision at designated hospitals.

So far, 19,732 close contacts of confirmed cases or asymptomatic carriers have been traced in the province, 271 of whom are still under medical observation.

Across the Chinese mainland, there are two high-risk and 14 medium-risk areas in the southern province of Guangdong.

All regions outside the Chinese mainland, except Macao, remained high-risk areas.

Experts note that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has been on the rise for several weeks worldwide, implying a worsening pandemic situation around the globe. It is strongly advised that those eligible for COVID-19 vaccines get fully inoculated as soon as possible, combined with the precautions listed below.

1. Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth?to help protect yourself and others.

2. Wash your hands often with soap and water.

3. Reduce unnecessary gatherings.

4. If indoors, bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors, if possible.

5. Seek medical treatment at a nearby testing and fever clinic as soon as possible when symptoms such as fever, dry cough or fatigue show, and inform medical staff of your whereabouts over the previous 14 days.

6. Avoid unnecessary trips to international destinations or medium and high-risk regions. Those coming to Jiangsu province from medium or high-risk regions will be obliged to quarantine for 14 days in designated facilities. Those coming from low-risk areas in cities of medium or high risk should inform their community upon arrival and take nucleic acid tests as requested.