(Yicai Global) March 11 -- The Chinese mainland yesterday reported 10 new imported cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), bringing the total number of imported cases to 79, the National Health Commission said today.

Of the 10 new imported cases, six were reported in Beijing, two in Shanghai, one in Shandong province and one in Gansu province, according to the commission.

The commission received reports of 24 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection and 22 deaths yesterday on the Chinese mainland.

The 22 deaths were all reported in Hubei province, according to the commission.

Meanwhile, 31 new suspected cases were reported and 1,578 people were discharged from hospital yesterday after recovery, while the number of severe cases decreased by 302 to 4,492.

The overall confirmed cases on the mainland had reached 80,778 by the end of yesterday, including 16,145 patients who were still being treated, 61,475 patients who had been discharged after recovery, and 3,158 people who had died of the disease.

According to the commission, 285 people were still suspected of being infected with the virus.

The commission said that 675,886 close contacts had been traced, adding that among them, 3,235 were discharged from medical observation yesterday, with 14,607 others still under medical observation.

By the end of yesterday, 120 confirmed cases had been reported in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including three deaths), 10 in the Macau Special Administrative Region and 47 in Taiwan (including one death).

Some 65 patients in Hong Kong, 10 in Macau and 17 in Taiwan have been discharged from hospital after recovery.

Editor: Xia Ruirui