Beijing has reported zero new coronavirus cases for the first time since the emergence of a cluster in the Chinese capital in June that prompted fears of a domestic second wave, AFP reported.

Beijing's health commission says it detected only one asymptomatic case the previous day, which China does not include in its count of confirmed infections. The Beijing government has tested more than 11 million people for Covid-19 since June 11 — roughly half the city's population, officials said at a press conference.

The news comes as millions of students in the city and around the country gather in exam halls to take the all-important national college entrance exam after days of tracking their health.