The Information Office of the People's Government of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region announces new measures to control coronavirus infections during a news conference, July 18, 2020. (PHOTO / CCTV NEWS VIA CHINADAILY.COM.CN)

URUMQI –  The officials in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, said the city would conduct citywide nucleic acid testing for free, as a total of 17 locally transmitted COVID-19 infections and 23 asymptomatic cases were reported in the region by Saturday noon, and all in its capital. 

Since the first locally transmitted COVID-19 case was detected in downtown Urumqi on Wednesday, the city has strictly implemented intervention measures, such as reduced public transportation services, closed management of residential communities, and stay-at-home suggestion to curb the spread of virus. 

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During a press conference on Saturday, the officials said the people who had close contact with infected people and asymptomatic carriers will get nucleic acid test in the next few days, and anyone who wants to leave the city needs to show negative nucleic acid test results. 

While the patient zero remains unknown, according to Rui Baoling, director of the city's Disease Control and Prevention Center, the comprehensive epidemiology investigation and the test in the lab shows the outbreak in the city was related to a gathering activity. 

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Tourists visit the Grand Bazaar Food Street in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 4, 2020. (DING LEI / XINHUA)

The city also promised to provide stable commodity prices and abundant supply for citizens who will stay at home, and all of the community workers and Party members need to stick to their posts, and to help the people in need. 

Meanwhile, a medical assistant team of 21 members from Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, arrived in Urumqi on Saturday afternoon. The team aims to help strengthen the city's medical service supply for the citizens, and share their experiences on nucleic acid test.