China records another new low in virus cases

China recorded another new low in its new coronavirus outbreak on Tuesday.

Just 19 new cases of the new virus were recorded over the previous 24 hours, the lowest update since China began reporting national figures on January 20.

All but two of the cases were recorded in the epicenter of Wuhan, where the outbreak began in December.

The city also accounted for 16 of the additional 17 deaths, bringing China's national total to 3,136.

China has registered 80,754 cases in total, with almost 60,000 having been released from hospital and 17,721 still receiving treatment.

Tellingly, only 36 new suspected cases were reported, pointing to a further decline in future new cases.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World  Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. In mainland China, where the virus first exploded, more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered.