Beijing on Saturday reported its first locally transmitted infection of the highly transmissible omicron variant of coronavirus, according to state media, ahead of its staging of the Olympic Winter Games.

According to Reuters, state television reported that the new infection had been identified as the omicron strain.

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Lab testing found “mutations specific to the Omicron variant” in the person, Pang Xinghuo, an official at the city’s disease control authority, told a news briefing.

Officials have sealed up the infected person’s residential compound and workplace, and collected 2,430 samples for testing from people linked to the two locations, a Haidian district official said.

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The detection of the omicron variant in Beijing came as cities across the country ratchet up viral vigilance ahead of the Winter Olympics, which is due to start from February 4.

Authorities have also warned that omicron adds to the increased risk of COVID-19 transmission as more people travel across the country and return to China from overseas for the Lunar New Year holiday starting at the end of the month.

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China also reported 25 new asymptomatic cases for January 14, down from 42 infections a day earlier. There were no new deaths, leaving the death toll at 4,636.

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As of January 14, mainland China had 104,745 confirmed cases.