Shanghai's public security bureau has been working hard to tackle criminal cases related to the epidemic, the authorities announced on Friday.

Shu Qing, vice mayor of Shanghai and head of the city's public security bureau, said that the police has been investigating crimes, including fraud, hoarding, speculation, the sales of counterfeit and low-quality products, that have arisen during the current COVID-19 outbreak.

The authorities have investigated nearly 700 such cases since the outbreak started in March. Some 600 people have been given administrative punishment, and nearly 100 people have been put under criminal coercive measures.