The local government of Jiamusi, Heilongjiang province, recently launched a process for accountability for related responsible officials for improper measures during the recent outbreak of COVID-19, according to a statement released by the suburban epidemic prevention and control headquarters in the city on Monday.

Recently, a video showing epidemic prevention workers dumping residents' rice and breaking some eggs has drawn public attention, the statement said.

The video was shot in the Hongqi Street community after staff members found that some residents passed on rice and eggs. The staff members considered the residents' behavior violated the requirements of epidemic prevention and control, and might risk spreading the coronavirus.

Reminding residents of safety and epidemic prevention, the staff members threw the rice into the garbage, mashed the eggs and shot the video, the statement said, adding that the staff members involved in the case had been seriously criticized and educated.

Jiamusi reported 18 new locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases and 55 asymptomatic carriers on Monday, according to the provincial health commission on Tuesday.

Jiamusi began citywide static management on Sept 18 after the first two infections were reported in the latest outbreak on Sept 17.