As of midnight on Feb 12 (Beijing Time), China's National Health Commission (NHC) had received 59,804 reports of COVID-19 confirmed cases and 1,367 deaths on the Chinese mainland. In all 5,911 patients had been cured and discharged from hospital. There still remained 52,526 confirmed cases (including 8,030 in serious condition) and 13,435 suspected cases.

No confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients remain in Xizang (Tibet) as the only patient was discharged from hospital Wednesday.

Why a surge in confirmed cases in Hubei?

A revision in the diagnosis criteria for COV ID-19 in Hubei province has resulted in a sudden surge in the number of confirmed patients. Clinically diagnosed criteria have been established in Hubei . Suspected cases with pneumonia images are diagnosed as clinical cases, so that they can receive standard treatment in accordance with the relevant requirements of confirmed cases, further improving the success rate of treatment. At present, 13,332 clinical cases reported in Hubei have been included in the confirmed case statistics, and all-out efforts have been made to enhance treatment, reduce serious cases and decrease the fatality rate.