BEIJING — China has stepped up efforts to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Here are the latest developments:

— China reported 573 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection and 35 deaths on Feb 29y on the Chinese mainland. Among the deaths, 34 were in Hubei province and one in Henan province, according to the National Health Commission.

Feb 29 saw 2,623 people discharged from hospital after recovery, the commission said.

— The overall confirmed cases on the mainland had reached 79,824 by the end of Feb 29, including 35,329 patients who were still being treated, 41,625 patients who had been discharged after recovery, and 2,870 people who had died of the disease.

The commission added that 851 people were still suspected of being infected with the virus.

— Hubei province, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in China, reported 570 new confirmed cases and 34 deaths on Feb 29. Wuhan, the provincial capital, reported 565 confirmed cases and 26 deaths on Feb 29.

— Vice-Premier Sun Chunlan on Feb 29 stressed the role of scientific research in containing the coronavirus epidemic.

Sun called for stepping up research on tracing virus sources, transmission dynamics, medical treatment, drug screening and vaccine development, and also underscored the use of traditional Chinese medicine in treating patients.