China reports 19 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus

Chinese health authority said Tuesday it received reports of 19 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and 17 new deaths on Monday. According to China's National Health Commission, the new confirmed cases include 17 in central China's Hubei Province, the epicenter of the outbreak, and two imported cases, with one in Beijing and the other in south China's Guangdong Province.

The deaths were all in Hubei. Meanwhile, 36 new suspected cases were reported Monday. The latest data indicate that 1,297 patients were discharged from hospital, the number of severe cases was reduced by 317, and 4,148 close contacts were released from medical observation on Monday.

By the end of Monday, China's health authorities received reports of 170 confirmed cases in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, including 115 from Hong Kong (60 discharged from hospital and three deaths), 10 from Macao (all discharged from hospital), and 45 from Taiwan (15 discharged from hospital and one death).