BEIJING -- The Chinese mainland on Tuesday reported no new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, the National Health Commission said on Dec 16.

A total of 12 imported COVID-19 cases were reported across the mainland Tuesday, the commission said in its daily report.

One new suspected case arriving from outside the mainland was reported in Shandong. No new deaths related to the disease were reported.

A total of nine COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery on the Chinese mainland on Tuesday.

By the end of Tuesday, a total of 4,061 imported cases had been reported on the mainland. Among them, 3,795 had been discharged from hospitals following recovery, and 266 remained hospitalized. No deaths had been reported among the imported cases.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland reached 86,770 by Tuesday, including 315 patients still receiving treatment.

A total of 81,821 patients had been discharged from hospitals following recovery on the mainland, and 4,634 had died of the virus, according to the report.

There were three suspected COVID-19 cases on the mainland as of Tuesday, and 6,898 close contacts remained under medical observation.