75,465 reports of confirmed cases and 2,236 deaths had been received in 31 provincial-level regions on the Chinese mainland and the Xinjiang region, the country's National Health Commission announced on Friday in daily briefing on coronavirus cases.

According the NHC, 31 provincial-level regions on the Chinese mainland as well as the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps reported 889 new cases of confirmed infections, 1,614 new cases of suspected infections, and 118 deaths. 2,109 patients were released from hospitals after being cured. 28,804 people who had had close contact with infected patients were freed from medical observation. Serious cases decreased by 231.

The National Health Commission had received 75,465 reports of confirmed cases and 2,236 deaths in 31 provincial-level regions on the Chinese mainland and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and in all 18,264 patients had been cured and discharged from hospital. There still remained 54,965 confirmed cases, including 11,633 in serious condition and 5,206 suspected cases. So far, 606,037 people have been identified as having had close contact with infected patients. 120,302 are now under medical observation.

On Feb 20, Hubei reported 631 new cases of confirmed infections (including 319 in Wuhan), 1,279 new cases of suspected infections, including 979 in Wuhan, and 115 deaths, including 99 in Wuhan. 1,451 patients were released from hospitals after being cured, including 766 in Wuhan.

As of 24:00 on Feb 20, Hubei had reported 62,662 cases of confirmed infections, including 45,346 in Wuhan and 2,144 deaths, including 1,684 in Wuhan. In all, 11,788 patients had been cured and discharged from hospital, including 6,214 in Wuhan. There still remained 48,730 confirmed cases , ,including 37,448 in Wuhan, with 10,997 in serious condition, including 9,628 in Wuhan, and 4,094 suspected cases, including 2,820 in Wuhan.

Two Iranians have died in hospital after testing positive for the coronavirus in Qom.

The virus was first detected in Wuhan city, Central China, in December 2019. It is believed to have originated from wild animals, passing to humans due to the wildlife trade and wet markets. The virus spread to other China provinces in early and mid-January 2020, helped by the Chinese new year migration.

Cases started to be detected in other countries, carried by international travelers, typically to major trade partners: Thailand, Japan, United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Taiwan, the U.S., Singapore, Vietnam, France, Nepal, Malaysia, Iran, Belgium, Finland, Australia, Canada, Germany, Sri Lanka, Italy, Russia, Sweden and Spain.

WHO declared the new coronavirus outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 31. (ILKHA)