BEIJING -- Researchers have not found any evidence of immune escape among mutant variants of the coronavirus so far, a Chinese official said Friday.

He Qinghua, an official with the National Health Commission, said at a press conference in Beijing that COVID-19 variants are found in more countries and the India-related variant has been detected in over 40 countries and regions worldwide. The possibility of new variants cannot be ruled out.

The official said China is getting fully prepared and will intensify the quarantine and testing of inbound travelers as well as the quarantine and sterilization of imports from relevant countries.