BEIJING — China saw fewer close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases on June 23, the first drop since the recent cluster infections were reported in Beijing, a health official said June 24.

Hu Qiangqiang, a spokesperson for the National Health Commission, also said nine domestically-transmitted cases were reported on the mainland on June 23.

Noting the increasing number of domestically-transmitted and suspected cases, Hu urged strengthened prevention and control measures during the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival holiday.