Residents in Chaoyang district, the hardest-hit area of Beijing, are being suggested not to leave their area unless it's necessary, based on the current developing epidemic situation, a senior official said at a news conference on Friday.

"Those in low-risk areas in Chaoyang are allowed to have cross-district activities with negative nucleic acid test results shown within 48 hours," said Yang Beibei, deputy head of Chaoyang district.

However, people are still being suggested to stay at home during the coming weekend and reduce activities, except for going to work, she said.

The capital is still facing a severe and complicated epidemic control and prevention situation with the number of sporadic cases at the community level and areas of infection risks trending upward, said Xu Hejian, spokesman of the municipality at the news conference.

"The capital is coping with a tough challenge to prevent and control the epidemic outbreak with the number of new infections still on the rise with wider areas," Xu said.

According to Xu, the number of cases detected at the community level have reached 276 between Sunday and Thursday in the capital.

Beijing recorded 232 new local COVID-19 infections between midnight and 3 pm on Friday, among whom 42 were detected at the community level, according to Liu Xiaofeng, deputy director of the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

On Friday evening, several districts including Tongzhou, Shunyi, Yanqing and Changping released public letters to their residents, suggesting people to reduce cross-districts activities to cut infection risks.

Duan Ling contributed to this story.