[Anchor]
The Chinese city of Qingdao says its entire population of 9 million people will be tested for COVID-19 after a handful of new infections were discovered.
Authorities there said the testing program will be completed within five days.
The BBC's Stephen McDonell reports from Beijing.
[Reporter]
The Chinese authorities now have a strategy of mass testing even when a new coronavirus cluster appears to be relatively minor.
This week in the coastal city of Qingdao, 9 million residents will be checked after a dozen locally transmitted infections were found to have links to a hospital treating COVID patients who arrived from overseas.
Amongst those who have tested positive are a taxi driver and a staff working at the Qingdao Chest Hospital, which has now been locked down.
The apartment blocks of those who have been infected have also been placed under restrictive measure.
<Photo: Yonhap News>
