Coronavirus claims 2,979 lives, infects 86,529

Global as many as 2,979 people died from the new coronavirus, and the number of confirmed cases of the virus stood at 86,529.

Mainland China reported 573 new coronavirus infections on Sunday, up from 427 the previous day, but only three of the new cases were reported outside the epicentre of Hubei province, reports South China Morning Post.

There were 35 new deaths reported in mainland China, down from 47 the previous day, taking the total death toll there to 2,870 as of Saturday, the National Health Commission said, while 41,625 patients had recovered.

The commission said the three new infections reported outside Hubei represented the lowest figure recorded outside the province since January 23, when lockdowns and other massive emergency measures were implemented.

Of the new Hubei cases, 565 were reported in the provincial capital Wuhan, suggesting the condition facing the city remained serious.