The nucleic acid test of an imported asymptomatic COVID-19 patient who had been cured was detected to be positive again in the Pearl River Delta city of Zhongshan in South China's Guangdong province on Wednesday.

According to a statement released by the Zhongshan city Health Commission on Thursday, the patient has now been sent to Zhongshan No. 2 People's Hospital, designated for COVID-19 patients, for further treatment.

The patient is now in stable condition and has no fever, cough or related symptoms, the statement said.

But the statement did not reveal details about the asymptomatic patient.

By 3 pm on Thursday, all the patient's close contacts had been isolated for further medical observation and their first nucleic acid tests have all come out negative, the statement said.

Meanwhile, relevant departments have launched a further investigation on the venues and public places where the patient had visited to prevent and control the spread of the novel coronavirus in the city, which is in the western part of the Pearl River Delta, the statement said.

Local medical experts have urged residents not to panic and refuse to believe and spread rumors, as the re-infection of cured COVID-19 patients is relatively low.

Experts also urged COVID-19 patients who have been cured to still pay attention to their personal hygiene and try to avoid parties and banquets. Cured patients should immediately seek medical help when they feel they are having symptoms again.