BEIJING — A total of 60 COVID-19 patients have been cured and discharged from hospitals during the past week in China, 46 percent more than the previous week, a health official said on July 3.

Altogether 78,499 people had been discharged after recovery, said Hu Qiangqiang, a spokesperson for the National Health Commission, at a press conference.

According to the commission's daily report, 12 people were discharged on July 2 from hospitals after recovery.

Hu stressed further regular prevention and control measures, calling for efforts to improve treatment and cure more COVID-19 patients.