BEIJING — The National Health Commission said on Oct 18 that 20 COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery on the Chinese mainland on Oct 17.

There were 252 patients still being treated, including five in severe condition, the commission said in its daily report.

Altogether 80,786 patients had been discharged from hospitals after recovery by Oct 17, the commission added.

As of Oct 17, a total of 85,672 confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported on the mainland, among whom 4,634 died of the disease.