Zhejiang sees decline in new coronavirus cases as total rises to 599

Zhejiang in East China, the second-most severely hit province in China affected by the novel coronavirus after Hubei province, witnessed a major decrease in its number of new confirmed cases on Saturday, thanks to the thorough and effective measures adopted by the provincial authority in its fight against the disease throughout the province.

Zhejiang reported 62 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus as of midnight on Jan 31, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 599.

Among the new confirmed cases, 13 were in Hangzhou, 14 in Wenzhou, 14 in Taizhou and 9 in Ningbo.

So far, 15 patients have been cured and discharged from hospitals throughout the province.

Zhang Ping, director of the Zhejiang Provincial Health Commission, previously said that 33 counties within Zhejiang have reported no newly added cases for two consecutive days, signaling a turning point has emerged in parts of Zhejiang in its fight against the novel coronavirus.

"This shows a turning point has emerged in part of Zhejiang, with most areas to follow suit in the upcoming days," he said at a news conference on Thursday.