National Health Commission: 4,515 confirmed cases in Chinese mainland, 106 dead, 60 cured

China's National Health Commission said a total of 4,515 cases were confirmed in the Chinese mainland as of Monday at midnight, with 106 dead and 60 cured.

Among confirmed cases, 976 patients were in critical condition.

There are 6,973 suspected cases in the Chinese mainland.

The number of confirmed cases in China's Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions (SARs) has also increased. The numbers are as follow:

Taiwan: 5

Hong Kong SAR: 8

Macao SAR: 7

On the novel virus

According to the latest updates from the National Health Commission, the virus is mainly transmitted by respiratory droplets (droplet spread). People can also get infected by touching infectious droplets and then touching their own mouth, nose or eye(s).

Research has revealed an 85 percent genetic similarity between the novel coronavirus, now known as 2019-nCoV, and SARS.

Its incubation period could be up to 14 days, but is usually around three to seven days.