A Chinese health official on Sunday urged citizens to keep vigilant to guard against the novel coronavirus after a new cluster of cases was reported on Saturday.

A total of 14 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported on the Chinese mainland Saturday, of which 12 were domestically transmitted cases, including 11 in northeast China's Jilin Province.

"The Chinese mainland recorded 12 new domestic cases on Saturday, marking the highest number since March 11," Mi Feng, spokesperson for the National Health Commission (NHC), said at a regular press briefing on Sunday.

Mi reminded the public to keep vigilant, take personal precautions and avoid crowds and gatherings.