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

— A total of 143 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection and 30 deaths were reported on March 5 on the Chinese mainland. Among the deaths, 29 were in Hubei province and one in Hainan province.

The overall confirmed cases on the mainland had reached 80,552 by the end of March 5, including 23,784 patients who were still being treated, 53,726 patients who had been discharged after recovery, and 3,042 people who had died of the disease.

Also on March 5, 16 imported cases of novel coronavirus infection were reported on the mainland, including 11 in Gansu province, four in Beijing and one in Shanghai. By the end of March 5, 36 imported cases had been reported.

Three Chinese medical experts from Tongji Hospital in Wuhan on March 4 shared their experiences treating the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with their Italian peers who made inquiries on a video call.

Enrico Ammirati, a cardiologist in the department of anesthesia and ICU of Niguarda Hospital, raised questions concerning the criterion of wards, treatment schemes of cytokine storm and COVID-19, as well as protection of medics.

— The Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on March 5 called for local legislations that fit the actual situations of corresponding places to curb the COVID-19.

Local legislatures should listen to the suggestions from professional personnel and the public to improve the quality of legislation, said the commission.