Students in kindergartens, primary schools and middle schools in Dalian, Liaoning province, had expected to go back to school this week after connecting to classes online at home since March 15.

However, the city’s COVID-19 prevention and control headquarters released an urgent notice halting the return after one student was found positive for COVID-19 early on Monday.

Also on Monday, Dalian reported an abnormal test result for a couple seeing doctors at a local medical institution.

Except for those three cases, the results of regular nucleic acid screening for 30 key groups were all negative in Dalian.

The city’s COVID-19 prevention and control headquarters immediately launched an emergency response. Key places involved have been closed.

The notice also ordered residents of Dalian not to leave the city unless necessary. Those who must leave should present a negative COVID-19 report obtained within 24 hours and report to their office units and residential communities.

In light of the current prevention and control situation, Dalian immediately launched nucleic acid screening in key areas on Monday. Comprehensive regional screening will be conducted in larger areas on Tuesday.

Dalian reported nine new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and eight asymptomatic infections on March 14. Primary and middle schools were closed the next day.

On Saturday, the city’s COVID-19 prevention and control headquarters said that no areas other than Jinpu New Area and Pulandian district have seen positives at the community level for 17 consecutive days.