TAIYUAN -- By Oct 15, north China's Shanxi province had reported 41 close contacts of the confirmed COVID-19 cases in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao, according to local authorities.

All 41 have tested negative for the virus and are under medical observation and quarantine, said the provincial epidemic prevention and control office.

Shanxi is currently screening residents who have traveled to Qingdao since Sept 27, conducting nucleic acid tests and monitoring their health conditions.

The office is urging people who have traveled to Qingdao to visit a fever clinic if they show symptoms of fever or have a dry cough.

The virus recently re-emerged in Qingdao, and 13 newly confirmed cases had been detected by Wednesday.