Ammon News - China’s National Health Commission (NHC) late Saturday announced that the latest outbreak of the coronavirus in the country has spread to 14 provinces during the past two weeks.

In a statement, NHC spokesman Mi Feng stated "there have been cases in 14 provinces in just 14 days," adding that China is trying to stamp out a rash of cases in line with its zero tolerance.

Meanwhile, Chinese respiratory disease expert Zhong Nanshan said "China could effectively contain the spread of the virus in less than one month, despite sporadic cases in some regions."

The commission on Sunday reported that 71 new COVID infections were recorded over the last 24 hours, bringing the caseload in the Chinese mainland to 97,151, along with 4,636 deaths.

China has taken strict preventive measures to curb the spread of virus by reducing and stopping passenger trains to/ from the affected areas.