The number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in China, excluding Hubei Province, has dropped for 15 consecutive days since February 3, according to the National Health Commission on Wednesday.

China confirmed 56 new coronavirus cases in 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps on Tuesday, a significant drop from 890 on February 3 and 79 on February 16.

Still, the number of the newly-discharged cases in China has exceeded those newly confirmed for the first time. 

Hubei Province, the epicenter of the new coronavirus outbreak, confirmed 1,693 new cases on Tuesday, bringing the total number to 61,682 in the province.

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