Eight in Yangzhou, East China's Jiangsu province are punished for failing performance in COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control, demonstrating serious bureaucratic problems among some officials.

Eight officials from Yangzhou in East China's Jiangsu province have received punishment due to their failures in COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control, according to a statement from the city's disciplinary watchdog on Sunday.

According to the statement, three officials from Hanjiang district were given punishment, including administrative demerit and notice of criticism.

Another five officials from Guangling district were given punishment, including warning within the Party, administrative demerit and notice of criticism.

During the process of collecting swab samples on July 29 at a nucleic acid testing point in Wantou town, Guangling district, staff members failed to organize in an orderly way due to nonstandard operation.

During the process, a total of 23 people were infected by Wang Qiang, a case that was diagnosed as a locally transmitted, confirmed COVID-19 patient on Aug 1.

The statement also said Wang had been put under investigation for his serious illegal actions.

It showed the serious problems of formalism and bureaucracy existing among some officials, the statement said.