(Yicai Global) March 17 --The Chinese mainland yesterday reported 20 new imported cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), bringing the total number of imported cases to 143, the National Health Commission said today.

Of the 20 new imported cases, nine were reported in Beijing,  three in Shanghai, three in Guangdong province, and one in Zhejiang, Shandong, Guangxi, Yunnan and Shaanxi respectively, according to the commission.

The commission received reports of 21 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection and 13 deaths yesterday on the Chinese mainland.

Among the deaths, 12 were reported in Hubei province and one in Shaanxi province, according to the commission.

Meanwhile, 45 new suspected cases were reported and 930 people were discharged from hospital yesterday after recovery, while the number of severe cases decreased by 202 to 2,830.

The overall confirmed cases on the mainland had reached 80,881 by the end of yesterday, including 8,976 patients who were still being treated, 68,679 patients who had been discharged after recovery, and 3,226 people who had died of the disease.

According to the commission, 128 people were still suspected of being infected with the virus.

The commission said that 681,404 close contacts had been traced, adding that among them, 1,105 were discharged from medical observation yesterday, with 9,351 others still under medical observation.

By the end of yesterday, 157 confirmed cases had been reported in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including four deaths), 11 in the Macau Special Administrative Region and 67 in Taiwan (including one death).

Some 88 patients in Hong Kong, 10 in Macau and 22 in Taiwan have been discharged from hospital after recovery.

Editor: Xia Ruirui