China has reported a fourth day of new locally transmitted Covid-19 cases in a handful of cities across the country, prompting alarmed local governments to double down on efforts to track potential carriers amid a zero-tolerance policy.

A total of 17 new local cases were reported for Oct 19, up from nine a day earlier, data from the National Health Commission (NHC) showed.

The new cases were reported in eight cities and administrative divisions, more than four for Oct 18, the bulk of which were in northern and northwestern China, Reuters reported.

Among the cases was one in the capital city Beijing, which is busy gearing up for its hosting of the 2022 Winter Games in February, where officials vowed stringent efforts against the virus.