SHANGHAI — Shanghai announced downgrading of its emergency response to the novel coronavirus outbreak from level I to level II starting March 24.

The city had reported no new confirmed indigenous COVID-19 cases since March 3, according to the municipal government.

On Jan 24, Shanghai, a metropolis in East China, activated the highest level of public health emergency response to control the outbreak.

The municipal government said it would stay highly alert to the imported COVID-19 infections. Shanghai reported 10 new confirmed imported COVID-19 cases on March 22, bringing the total number to 66.

China has a four-tier public health emergency response system, with level I being the highest, under which provinces must follow the unified command of the nation in developing their response strategies. More autonomy will be granted to provinces, cities and counties under responses of lower levels.