According to the NHC, 31 provincial-level regions on the Chinese mainland as well as the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps reported 1,886 new cases of confirmed infections, 1,432 new cases of suspected infections, 1,097 new serious cases and 98 deaths . 1,701 patients were released from hospitals after being cured. 27,908 people who had had close contact with infected patients were freed from medical observation.

"As of 24:00 on Feb 17, the National Health Commission had received 72,436 reports of confirmed cases and 1,868 deaths in 31 provincial-level regions on the Chinese mainland and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and in all 12,552 patients had been cured and discharged from hospital. There still remained 58,016 confirmed cases  and 6,242 suspected cases. So far, 560,901 people have been identified as having had close contact with infected patients. 141,552 are now under medical observation," the statement said. (ILKHA)