A former COVID-19 patient was recently confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus a second time after she had been discharged from hospital for months in Jingzhou, Hubei province, the city government said on Wednesday.

The 68-year-old female retiree tested positive on Sunday after falling ill, according to the statement, which was published on WeChat.

The woman was first confirmed with the virus on Feb 8. She has now been isolated for treatment again. Her close contacts tested negative in the second round, the statement said.

"Her home and the public places she visited have been thoroughly disinfected; therefore, the risk of spreading the disease through local communities is under control," the statement said.

The city urged residents not to panic, to treat rumors with skepticism and avoid spreading them.

The statement reminded residents to pay attention to their personal protection and hygiene.