BEIJING — A total of nine COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery on the Chinese mainland on Dec 17, the National Health Commission said in a daily report on Dec 18.

There were 304 confirmed cases still being treated, including eight in severe conditions, the report showed.

As of Dec 17, the Chinese mainland had reported a total of 86,789 confirmed COVID-19 cases, among whom 81,851 had been discharged from hospitals after recovery, and 4,634 died of the disease.