DALIAN -- More than 2.96 million samples for nucleic acid tests of COVID-19 had been collected by Monday in the city of Dalian after new cases began to emerge last week, local authorities said on July 28.

A total of 8,107 medics have been mobilized to collect samples at more than 2,000 sites across the city in northeast China's Liaoning Province, according to Zhao Lian, deputy director of the city's health commission.

Zhao added that 11 laboratories are in full operation for the screening work.

Moreover, the city has prohibited catering service operators from organizing any type of dining involving gatherings, such as wedding banquets and birthday parties, in an effort to strengthen virus prevention and control work.

Dalian reported six new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Monday, bringing its total number of new domestically transmitted cases since July 22 to 44.