The number of daily new confirmed novel coronavirus cases in China has seen a 48.2 percent decrease between February 4 and 11, an official of the National Health Commission (NHC) said at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

A total of 2,015 new confirmed cases were reported on Tuesday from 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.

The number was compared to 3,887 on February 4.

"The situation is still very serious, but after taking a series of effective measures, it has also seen some positive changes in general," NHC official Mi Feng told reporters.

He said the number of suspected cases each day reported on the Chinese mainland also witnessed a 37.3 percent drop between February 5 and 11, from 5,328 to 3,342.

The number of patients that have been discharged from hospital has risen dramatically, with the recovery rate increased from 1.3 percent on January 27 to 10.6 percent on February 11.

According to the latest data released by the NHC, 4,740 people were cured and left hospitals on the Chinese mainland by Tuesday.

Due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus cases, online teaching has been introduced nationwide. Meanwhile, from February 17, China Education Television Channel will live broadcast students' courses through satellite nationwide, said Lv Yugang, director of the Department of Basic Education. He said the measure would help students in remote and poor areas without good internet connections.

When it comes to higher education, a total of 24,000 courses have been launched on 22 online platforms, said Wu Yan, director of the Department of Higher Education. "This is not something makeshift during this special period. We've spent several years developing these courses," Wu added.

Addressing the widespread concern over the college entrance examination, Wang Hui, director of the Department of College Student of the Ministry of Education, said that there are still nearly four months to go before the national college entrance examination. Together with relevant departments, they will assess the possible impact of the epidemic on the organization of examinations on time, and carefully study and formulate specific implementation plans for this year's college entrance examination.

For graduates and college students' employment, Wu Yan said that the current focus of education and teaching in colleges and universities is to do a good job in online teaching during the delayed start of the semester.

Wu said that relevant authorities had issued a document on the organization and management of online teaching in institutions of higher learning during the epidemic prevention and control period, in which a comprehensive plan was made for online teaching in institutions of higher learning during the epidemic prevention and control period.

"At present, the epidemic situation in the country is changing every day, college students' graduation season according to the annual observance should be June or July. We will closely study and evaluate the situation, according to the changes in the situation, timely make the relevant requirements and specific arrangements for graduation thesis, graduation design, and defense time," Wu added.

The Ministry of Education attaches great importance to the impact of this outbreak on Chinese students studying abroad, Wang Dengfeng, director of the office of the leading group of the Ministry of Education in response to the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia (NCP).

Wang added that in view of the fact that some overseas students are unable to study in foreign institutions on time, the Ministry of Education in China has instructed the education departments of overseas embassies and consulates to communicate and coordinate with the education departments and universities of different countries actively.

"At the same time, the relevant department should solve the problem of visa extension for overseas students as soon as possible, minimize the negative impact of entry restrictions, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of overseas students in China," Wang added.

At present, under the active promotion of Chinese embassies and consulates abroad, some countries have introduced measures to help Chinese students studying abroad deal with academic obstacles during the epidemic situation.