BEIJING — The ratio of the cumulative number of cured COVID-19 patients to the total mortality across China expanded to 13.8:1, showing a continuous rise in recovery rate, according to the National Health Commission (NHC).

The Chinese mainland reported four new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Feb 28 outside Hubei province, with one in each of four provinces respectively, Mi Feng, a spokesperson for the NHC, said at a press conference on Feb 29. He added that no new cases were reported in other provinces or the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.

He said that Hubei province reported three new confirmed cases outside Wuhan, the hardest-hit city in the outbreak of novel coronavirus and capital of Hubei.

"Next, efforts will be continuously concentrated on prevention and control work in urban and rural communities and patient treatment," Mi said, adding that measures for early detection, early reporting, early isolation and early treatment will be further implemented.

Importance will be attached to the treatment of mild patients, and the treatment of severe patients will be strengthened, to effectively consolidate the achievements of prevention and control, he said.