A student receives nucleic acid test after arriving at Xi'an North Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 14, 2022.  (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

XI'AN, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, reported eight new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases on Thursday, local authorities said Friday.

Lyu Yongpeng, deputy director of the city's health commission, said the figure for Thursday means that the number of new cases was in the single digits for three consecutive days, a first since the outbreak emerged on Dec. 18, 2021.

Xi'an has registered 2,039 local cases in the latest resurgence. Of these, 831 had recovered by Thursday. Of the rest undergoing treatment in hospitals, five are severe cases and one is in critical condition.

The city currently has two high-risk areas and 23 medium-risk areas for COVID-19.

Lyu said that, with cases in the single digits for three straight days and fewer medium-risk areas for COVID-19, the city's overall epidemic situation is improving.