XI'AN -- A leading epidemiologist has projected that a major resurgence in the number of COVID-19 cases in the northwest Chinese city of Xi'an is unlikely.

"While more cases might be reported in the future, the threat of a major resurgence in Xi'an has been basically brought under control," Li Qun, director of the Health Emergency Center of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told Xinhua in an interview. "We have seen notable progress in the efforts to control the epidemic."

Li noted that the number of daily reported cases in Xi'an has gradually declined since the start of this year, indicating a positive trend in containing the spread of the virus.

Xi'an, with 13 million residents, reported 63 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. The new cases brought the total number of local cases in the city to 1,856 in the latest resurgence since Dec 9.

Li attributed the progress in large part to several rounds of mass nucleic acid testing in the megacity, which helped the health authorities identify the infected cases at an early date, adopt targeted control measures, and reduce public stress during the trying times.

The expert also called for continued efforts to maintain the positive trend, which is key to the eventual success of containing the epidemic.

Restrictive anti-epidemic measures will be gradually lifted in areas with low risks and people's lives will gradually return to normal before the city fully exits the lockdown, Li added.