China on Friday reported a total number of 46 new cases, seen as an increase in number compared to 42 cases reported on Thursday.
However, this was mostly due to travelers returning from abroad and no local cases have been reported so far.
42 out of the 46 cases were those reported from Heilongjiang province which shares a border with Russia. Many of these returnees were those returning from Russia.
However, the central province of Hubei, where the virus emerged, reported no new cases for a seventh successive day.
A directive issued by the government to screen all African nationals and deny them services in the Guangzhou province has also created fears in the minds of some and has led to criticism.