SHIJIAZHUANG -- Authorities have classified two more areas as high-risk for COVID-19 in north China's Hebei province.

Starting on Jan 18, the cities of Xinle under Shijiazhuang and Nangong under Xingtai will upgrade to high-risk areas, announced the provincial health commission.

Hebei reported 54 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases and six locally transmitted asymptomatic cases on Sunday, the commission said on Monday.

Of the new confirmed cases, 52 were in the provincial capital Shijiazhuang, including 27 previously reported asymptomatic cases. The other two cases were reported in the city of Xingtai.

Of the new asymptomatic ones, five were reported in Shijiazhuang and one in Xingtai.