Prevention measures were taken after Anhui province in East China reported three new locally transmitted cases of COVID-19, according to local health authorities.

A shopping center and residential community were classified as medium-risk, as large-scale testing for the coronavirus started in Lu'an city following a confirmed case that was reported on Thursday.

Another commercial building in Hefei's Feixi county was also classified as medium-risk for infection as of Friday morning, said Zhang Xiaofeng, deputy director of the Hefei health commission at a news conference in the morning.

Residents of Feixi county and the Yu'an district of Lu'an, where the cases were found, were seen lining up in their communities on Thursday night to receive tests and vaccinations.

Around 62,000 people in Hefei had been tested as of 9:30 am on Friday. Results of 41,187 tests were negative for the coronavirus. Other results will be published soon, Zhang said, adding that disinfection measures had been taken in affected places.

More than 450 close contacts related to the confirmed cases in Hefei were identified. Authorities were still trying to trace more contacts and impose safety measures, the Hefei health commission said.

Anhui, a major tea production base, canceled a provincial tea expo, which was scheduled to be held in Hefei from May 14 to 17, Zhang said.