BEIJING — The Chinese mainland for the first time reported zero new indigenous suspected cases of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on March 17, Mi Feng, an official with the National Health Commission (NHC) said on March 18. 

All of the 21 suspected cases reported on March 17 across the mainland were imported cases, Mi said at a press conference in Beijing.

Mi said Hubei province, the region hardest-hit by the virus, has reported no new indigenous confirmed cases for 13 consecutive days in areas outside its capital city of Wuhan.

Moreover, no new suspected COVID-19 cases were reported for two consecutive days in Hubei, and the existing suspected cases have been cleared after ruling out three suspected cases on March 17, according to NHC's daily report.

Medical staff supporting Hubei in the fight against the outbreak are now departing from the province in an orderly manner, Mi said.