China reports no new coronavirus cases for first time since pandemic began

Health authorities in China have not reported any new cases of the coronavirus for the first time since the pandemic began in the city of Wuhan.

In a statement released on Saturday, the National Health Commission (NHC) said four cases were reported the previous day.

It, however, added that there were two new suspected cases - an imported one in Shanghai and another locally transmitted one in Jilin.

Number of asymptomatic cases also fell to 28 from 35 a day earlier.

Authorities have also reported an influx of imported cases, mainly involving Chinese nationals returning from abroad.

So far, the country has recorded 82,971 positive cases and 4,634 fatalities.