Single-digit trend signals progress in China's COVID-19 fight

The numbers of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in Hubei outside Wuhan and outside Hubei have both dropped to single-digit figures for the first time, indicating a positive trend in China's fight against the novel coronavirus, according to the National Health Commission.

On Thursday, nine newly confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported outside Hubei, the epicenter of the outbreak, Mi Feng, a spokesperson for the NHC, said Friday at a press conference in Beijing.

Hubei Province reported five new confirmed cases of COVID-19 outside the provincial capital Wuhan on the same day, he said.

There were 39,919 confirmed cases on the mainland by the end of Thursday, of which 7,952 were severe cases, he said, adding that 2,308 people were suspected of being infected with the virus.

Mi also said that Wuhan had 30,179 confirmed cases by the end of Thursday, of which 6,775 were severe cases, with 1,488 suspected cases.

"Next, efforts will continuously be made in community prevention and control, medical treatment and other aspects to prevent the epidemic from rebounding," Mi said.