Shandong Province reported 202 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection on Thursday, where 200 of which were inmates from the Rencheng Prison in Jining City, Shandong authorities announced on Friday.

File photo of Xie Weijun

As of Thursday, the nucleic acid testing of all prison staff and inmates in Rencheng Prison has been completed. The government has taken effective treatment measures for all confirmed patients. Epidemiological investigations are under way.

The Shandong Provincial Party Committee announced on Friday that Xie Weijun, former Party secretary and director of Justice Department of Shandong Province as well as former Party secretary of Prison Management Bureau of Shandong Province, was removed from office due to the current situation in Rencheng Prison.

(Compiled by Cheng Weidan)