New infections of the novel coronavirus on Chinese mainland were reported to be 889 in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of infections up to 75,465, the National Health Commission released on Friday. 

New confirmed cases in the nation outside Hubei were 258 on Thursday, up 45 over Wednesday, which means the number's 16-day consecutive decline has ended.

The commission reported 118 new deaths as of Thursday midnight, bringing the death toll up to 2,236, according to the commission.

Another 1,614 new suspected cases were reported, said the commission. On the same day, a total of 2,109 people had been discharged from hospital after recovery.

The commission added that patients in severe condition had been reduced by 231 in the past 24 hours. And 5,206 people were suspected of being infected with the virus as of Thursday.

A total of 606,037 people with close contact with patients had been traced, said the commission, adding that among them, 28,804 were discharged from medical observation.

The commission said another 120,302 people with close contact with patients are still under medical observation.

Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan have reported a total of 102 confirmed cases as of Thursday, with two deaths in Hong Kong and one death in Taiwan, according to the commission.