For the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak, China on Wednesday revealed the presence of 1,541 asymptomatic cases carrying the deadly novel coronavirus, raising concerns of a second wave of infections amid the relaxation of stringent measures in the country initiated to contain the deadly disease.

Asymptomatic coronavirus cases are those who carry the virus but do not show any symptoms and can cause sporadic clusters of infections. In a surprise announcement on Tuesday, China's National Health Commission said it would begin to release the data of asymptomatic patients.

A total of 1,541 asymptomatic patients infected with COVID-19 have been put under medical observation in China by the end of Monday, including 205 imported cases, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted the NHC in a statement. Besides the asymptomatic cases, there are reports of 35 new imported cases and one domestic infection, NHC said on Wednesday.

The total number of imported cases has risen to 806, it said. Seven more people have died of the disease, taking the total number to 3,312. As of Tuesday, a total of 81,554 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 had been reported on the Chinese mainland.

The announcement about asymptomatic cases came as the other countries are including asymptomatic cases in their number of confirmed cases for their potential to infect others.