China reports 71 new Covid-19 cases as the Delta virus outbreak hits Nanjing

A medical staff in protective suit works at a nucleic acid testing laboratory of Nanjing First Hospital following a citywide mass testing for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China. - Reuters

BEIJING, July 27 (Reuters): China reported 71 new Covid-19 cases on July 26, the national health authority said on Tuesday, as an outbreak of the highly contagious Delta variant threatens the eastern city of Nanjing.

Local infections accounted for 31 of the new cases, down from 40 a day earlier, the National Health Commission said in a statement.