BEIJING — The numbers of locally transmitted confirmed and suspected cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the Chinese mainland have been continuously falling for nearly a week, a government spokesperson said on March 14.

"China has further consolidated the positive trend in its epidemic situation through arduous efforts," said Mi Feng, spokesperson for the National Health Commission at a press conference.

About 72.9 percent of the COVID-19 patients in Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei province and also the epicenter of the outbreak, have been discharged from hospitals after recovery, Mi said.

The rates were 92.7 percent in Hubei province excluding Wuhan, and 97.3 percent on the Chinese mainland excluding Hubei, respectively, according to Mi, noting that the recovery rate has been on the rise over the past week.

Mi said the vast majority of counties across China are at low risk of coronavirus spread based on real-time surveillance of the epidemic.

The Chinese mainland reported 11 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection on March 13, according to the daily report of the commission.