"The state health committee received from 31 provinces (areas, cities of central subordination) information about 78,824 confirmed cases of infection with the new type of coronavirus, including 39,919 people who are currently sick (7,952 are in serious condition), 36,117 people were discharged from hospitals, 2,788 died", the National Health Commision said in a statement.
As of 27 February, there were 318 newly confirmed cases in Hubei, of which 313 were registered in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. 41 fatalities were also in Wuhan only.
Since it was first identified in Wuhan, the novel virus has spread worldwide affecting more than 40 countries, according to the latest information provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO earlier declared a global health emergency over the outbreak.