South China's Hainan Province conducted all-inclusive COVID-19 nucleic acid testing on Sunday, authorities said at a press conference about COVID-19 prevention and control.

Hainan reported a total of 827 confirmed COVID-19 cases between August 1 and midday August 7, the authorities added.

In addition, 313 asymptomatic cases were also found during the period.

The outbreak is still in the rising stage and the proportion of people under quarantine among newly confirmed cases is increasing, said the officials, adding that most of the confirmed cases are mild, with no severe and critical cases.

All flights leaving and arriving the city were cancelled on Sunday, and all trains departing from the city were also canceled, according to local authorities.

Sanya City, a renowned tourist destination and where the majority of the COVID-19 cases of Hainan have been concentrated, adopted "static management," suspending the movement of people and city's public transportation, on Saturday morning.

The local government on Saturday promised to try their best to solve any problems that arise, such as offering half-price discounts on accommodation for stranded tourists and streamlining the process of travel booking cancellations.

The new outbreak hits at a time when thousands of tourists are enjoying summer in the seaside resort city of Sanya, with about 80,000 visitors remaining in the city, Deputy Mayor He Shigang said on Friday.

Supporting teams with the State Council's joint prevention and control mechanism have arrived in Hainan to help with the fast changing situation, Du Jianwei, an official with the Hainan Provincial Health Commission, said on Saturday.

Travelers who are currently in Sanya, or have a travel history based in the city since July 23, will have to stay in Hainan temporarily. Nucleic acid tests will be conducted according to the requirements of the local government. Future arrangements will be made according to the epidemic prevention and control situation in Sanya, local officials have said.

The virus in the latest round is the Omicron BA.5.1.3 variant. This is the first time it has been detected in China. Experts believe the origin of the virus was contaminated seafood imported at Yazhou fishing port in Sanya or Hainan dealers who were most likely infected during transactions with overseas dealers, according to local officials.

(With input from agencies)

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