A total of 12 asymptomatic COVID-19 infections reported on Thursday and Friday in the port city Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning Province, are related with an apparel factory which imported fabrics from neighboring countries.

The city registered 17 asymptomatic carriers on April 14 and 15. Among these infections, 12 were workers of a local garment factory or their close contacts, according to news outlet, Jimu News.

On April 16, the city reported four new asymptomatic infections. All of the patients visited the Longwangmiao market in Jinpu New District where the garment factory situated.

A manager from an apparel factory in the mentioned market said that the company imports fabrics from neighboring countries for garment processing and the majority of their products are exported.

According to a public letter from the district epidemic prevention and control headquarters, two garment factories involved in the importation of fabrics from neighboring countries are the origin of the flareup which was caused by the Omicron variant.

The condition of the Longwangmiao village, which serves as a hub for the area at risk, is complex with poor living conditions and close inter-person contacts, the letter said.

A local official of the community where the Longwangmiao market is located told the media that the area has been placed under lockdown and the local residents have been required to go through home quarantine.