Shanghai authorities on Thursday reported three new locally transmitted COVID-19 patients, all of whom are in stable condition.

The authorities said the three people are friends and took trips together between Friday, November 19 and Sunday, November 21.

So far, 27 close contacts of the three have been traced and placed under medical observation.

Virus tests for the close contacts are underway. Sixteen results have come back so far, all of which were negative.

The three areas where the newly diagnosed patients reside have been classified as medium-risk for COVID-19.

Shanghai has suspended cross-provincial tourism activities, the sale of airline tickets and hospitality services to counter the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two hospitals in Shanghai have halted emergency and outpatient services starting from Thursday.