Mainland China reported 1,886 new virus cases and 98 more deaths for a total of 1,868, following a report that 80% of cases have been mild, prompting guarded optimism from health officials.
The latest figures come after health officials in China published the first details on nearly 45,000 cases, saying more than 80% have been mild and new ones seem to be falling since early this month.
A total of 72,436 cases have been reported in mainland China as of Tuesday.
A recent spike was due to a broader definition in the hardest-hit region based on doctors' diagnoses before laboratory tests were completed.