Coronavirus Update: China Posts Lowest Number Of New Infections Since January

Chinese authorities said Monday the number of new coronavirus cases is the lowest it has been since the outbreak began in January while the rest of the world still battles to contain the virus.

China's National Health Commission said 40 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported Monday from “31 provincial-level regions” and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. The commission also reported 60 new suspected cases and 22 deaths from the virus – 21 in Hubei, 1 in Guangdong.

Monday report sai, “1,535 patients were released from hospital after being cured" and “3,802 people who had had close contact with infected patients were freed from medical observation. Serious cases decreased by 153.”

Despite the low number of new infections, it brings the total number of confirmed cases in China up to 80,735 with “3,119 deaths in 31 provincial-level regions on the Chinese mainland and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.” Another 20,146 that have reportedly been exposed to infected patients are under “medical observation” at various hospitals until cleared.

It’s a bit of good news for China, which has been ground zero for the coronavirus outbreak that has spread across the globe.

Italy is one of the countries hit the hardest from the virus, with over 7,300 confirmed cases as of Monday. The government ordered large areas of Milan quarantined, locking down over 16 million people in northern Italy.

The U.S. has reported 539 confirmed cases across the county with 22 deaths from the virus. In an effort to prevent it from spreading, travelers returning to the U.S. from overseas have been subject to quarantines while some travel has been suspended. Schools have also been shutting down to prevent children from being exposed, as they are considered a high-risk group along with infants and seniors.