China reports no new coronavirus cases for first time since pandemic began

Hector RETAMAL / AFP

Health authorities in China have not reported any new cases of the coronavirus for the first time since the pandemic began in the city of Wuhan.

In a statement released on Saturday, the National Health Commission (NHC) said four cases were reported the previous day.

It, however, added that there were two new suspected cases - an imported one in Shanghai and another locally transmitted one in Jilin.

Number of asymptomatic cases also fell to 28 from 35 a day earlier.

Authorities have also reported an influx of imported cases, mainly involving Chinese nationals returning from abroad.

So far, the country has recorded 82,971 positive cases and 4,634 fatalities.