The Henan Health Commission logged three new locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, with the number falling below 10 per day for the first time since the recent outbreak.

All the cases were found in Anyang, the worst-hit area overall. Two involved people in quarantine facilities; the other was in self-quarantine at home, officials said at a news conference on Friday.

As of Thursday, Anyang had reported 455 cases in the wake of the recent outbreak, said Li Chao, deputy director of the city government office. So far, the city has two high-risk areas and five medium-risk areas.

"We have seen the number beginning to decline, but we still must not take prevention and control lightly," he said. "Residents should stay at home to achieve the goal of returning to normal life as soon as possible."