Chinese mainland reports 159 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases

BEIJING, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland on Friday reported 159 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, the National Health Commission said Saturday.

Altogether 658 local asymptomatic carriers were newly identified.

A total of 382 COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery on the Chinese mainland on Friday, said the commission in its report.

The total number of COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals after recovery reached 247,943 on the Chinese mainland as of Friday.

Friday saw no new deaths from COVID-19, with the total death toll at 5,226.