Two people diagnosed with novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) had been cured and discharged from hospitals in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province, on March 9, meaning there are currently no COVID-19 patients being treated in hospitals in the city, according to local media reports.

The city had reported 157 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb 21 but has since seen no new cases.

This is largely due to local authorities' efforts to curb the spread of the epidemic and promptly treat people infected with the disease. The city also established a panel of medical experts to help deal with the outbreak.

Some 98 percent of COVID-19 patients in the city received traditional Chinese-Western hybrid treatments after TCM proved effective in helping relieve symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and poor appetite, as well as in facilitating recovery.

Local doctors prescribed medication based on the daily symptoms of each patient.

The innovative use of chloroquine phosphate also helped reduce the incidence of severe diseases, improved the recovery rate, and shortened hospital stays for patients.

Ningbo also took measures such as hospitalizing anybody with a fever so as to contain the spread.

Experts noted that it is not yet time to start celebrating, since as a global economic hub, Ningbo still faces the risk of COVID-19 patients entering from other countries and cities.

Efforts to curb the epidemic will continue along with efforts to ensure stable social and economic development, local authorities said.

By March 9, all patients diagnosed with novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) are discharged from hospitals in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: nbfb0574]