China sees slight increase in coronavirus cases after earlier drop

China experienced a slight increase in new coronavirus cases after an earlier drop, the country reported Sunday.

China documented 30 new cases Saturday, an increase from 19 on Friday, with most involving those who had traveled into the country from abroad. The National Health Commission said in a statement that 25 of the cases came from people who traveled into the country, compared to 18 the day before, Reuters reported. 

Five of the new cases involved locally transmitted infections in the southern province Guangdong. 

Mainland China has recorded 81,669 infections and 3,329 deaths after a dramatic drop in cases since February when hundreds were being reported each day. But the recent increase suggests China may still not be able to completely stop the pandemic in its country, Reuters noted.

The country has turned its focus to on so-called imported cases and asymptomatic patients, who can pass the virus to others without showing symptoms themselves. The commission documented 47 new asymptomatic cases Saturday, compared to 64 Friday. 

China, where the virus originated, is encouraging local governments to find and isolate asymptomatic patients, according to Reuters.