Between 00:00 and 24:00 of March 13th, 16 new confirmed locally transmitted cases (12 in Lianyungang, three in Changzhou, and one in Suqian which was an asymptomatic carrier the previous day) were registered in Jiangsu province.

Twenty-three local asymptomatic carriers (16 in Lianyungang, three in Suzhou, two in Nanjing, one in Changzhou, and one in Taizhou) were newly reported in the province.

Another inbound confirmed case was registered and is under isolated treatment at a designated hospital in Yancheng.

Seven cases were discharged from hospitals, while one inbound asymptomatic carrier was released from medical observation.

At present, 177 confirmed cases (153 local and 24 inbound) are under treatment at designated hospitals, while 101 asymptomatic carriers (89 local and 12 inbound) are under medical observation.

From January 22, 2020 to March 13, 2022, a total of 1,927 confirmed COVID-19 cases (including 209 inbound ones) had been reported in Jiangsu cumulatively.

As of this update, there are 14 high-risk and 268 medium-risk areas across the Chinese mainland.

Experts note that:

Recently, the highly transmissible Omicron variant has been reported in many countries and regions globally, with an increasing number of confirmed cases infected by the strain reported in China. Everyone bears the primary responsibility for their health. We shall not slacken the effort to beat COVID-19. It is necessary to continue with protective measures and closely follow the information on dynamics of the virus and changes to medium and high-risk regions from official sources.

The implemented health protocols are as follows:

1. Please provide needed information in time and support COVID-19 prevention and control measures. Avoid unnecessary trips to overseas areas, medium and high-risk regions, and regions where locally confirmed cases occur. Those coming or returning to the province from areas with locally confirmed cases or those whose travel histories overlap any confirmed cases should inform their employers, communities, or hotels upon arrival as soon as possible. Please cooperate in providing information, taking nucleic acid tests, and undergoing isolated medical observation.

2. Seek inoculation. It is the most effective way against COVID-19 as it helps build herd immunity, mitigate the pandemic’s impacts, and end its spread. People eligible for vaccination, with no contraindications, should all be inoculated. Those in high-risk situations are advised to get a COVID-19 booster vaccine in time.

3. Maintain routine prevention and control. Keep the mask on, especially in crowded places with poor ventilation, as fall and winter bring about a higher incidence of respiratory infections. Please cooperate in temperature checks and keep a one-meter distance away from others when you are in public areas such as malls, restaurants, hotels, cinemas, and gyms. Properly wear your mask when taking an elevator or public transport and when going to hospitals where you may meet patients with fever or respiratory symptoms. Medical practitioners and transport practitioners in high-risk conditions should especially follow this rule.

4. Increase awareness of personal prevention. Maintain good habits for health such as washing hands regularly, wearing a mask, ventilating rooms more often, reducing gatherings, using serving chopsticks, and dining separately. Seek medical treatment in line with regulatory procedures when symptoms such as fever, dry cough, fatigue, nasal congestion, nasal discharge, sore throat, reduced sense of smell and taste, conjunctivitis (pink eye), muscle pain, and diarrhea show. Keep the mask on and avoid using public transport when seeking treatment. Inform medical staff of your whereabouts and contact history over the previous 14 days.