China reports first COVID-19 death in eight months
Global Times
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Residents register their personal information before the COVID-19 test at a community COVID-19 testing site in Qiaoxi District of Shijiazhuang, capital of north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 12, 2021. Shijiazhuang started the second round of nucleic acid tests for all residents on Tuesday. (Photo: Xinhua)

China on Thursday reported its first COVID-19 death in about eight months since May 17. The death occurred in North China's Hebei Province.

The Chinese mainland reported 138 new confirmed cases and 78 asymptomatic ones on Thursday. Of all the confirmed cases, 81 come from Hebei, including 75 in its capital city Shijiazhuang. The province has 16 active severe cases in hospital.

No further information about the newly reported fatality has been released.

Chinese authorities said most of the patients from this round of infections are middle-aged and elderly people.