WUHAN — No new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported on March 22 in Wuhan, marking the fifth day in a row of zero increase as the former hardest-hit city recovers from the epidemic.

The health commission of Hubei province, of which Wuhan is the capital, said the central Chinese province also registered zero increase in new confirmed cases on March 22. No new suspected cases were reported on March 22, as well.

Hubei saw nine new deaths, all of which were in Wuhan, bringing the total in the province to 3,153.

The province also saw 447 patients discharged from hospital after recovery on March 22. Among the 4,593 patients being treated in hospital, 1,343 were still in severe condition and another 371 in critical condition, according to the commission.

Hubei has so far reported a total of 67,800 COVID-19 confirmed cases, including 50,005 in Wuhan.