A total of 409 new cases of the novel coronavirus were confirmed on the Chinese mainland as of midnight on Sunday, and 150 new deaths were reported, according to China's National Health Commission.

The number of the new deaths on Sunday marked a new high since February 12, when 254 new deceased were reported.

The total number of confirmed cases on the Chinese mainland now stands at 77,150, and the cumulative death toll is 2,592.

On the same day, Chinese health authorities said 1,846 new patients were discharged from hospital, bringing the total number of recovered cases to 24,734.

The numbers of confirmed cases in Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and China's Taiwan region are as follows:

Hong Kong: 74 (two dead, 12 recovered)

Macao: 10 (six recovered)

Taiwan: 28 (one dead, five recovered)