Beijing [China], December 5 (ANI): At least 59 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the Chinese mainland on Saturday, local media reported on Sunday.

The Chinese mainland on Saturday reported 42 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, Xinhua reported citing the National Health Commission report.

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Of the new local cases, 30 were reported in Inner Mongolia, 10 in Heilongjiang, and two in Yunnan.

Also reported were 17 new imported cases in six provincial-level regions, according to the commission.

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These cases come amid the global threat of the new coronavirus variant "Omicron".

A new variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.529; named Omicron) has been classified as a Variant of Concern by the World Health Organization. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)