A total of 16,376 patients infected with the novel Coronavirus had been discharged from hospital after recovery by the end of Wednesday, Feb 19, Chinese health authority confirms.

Wednesday saw 1,779 people walk out of hospital after recovery, the National Health Commission said in its daily report.

Patients can be discharged when the symptoms are alleviated, the body temperature remains at a normal range for at least three days, and the nucleic acid test shows a negative result twice, according to the NHC.

As of Thursday, Feb 20, 2020, a total of 2,130 people attributable to the disease had died. And 75,775 confirmed cases of novel Coronavirus infection had been reported in all provinces in China and more than two dozen in other countries.

The first patient since the beginning of the deadly outbreak was reportedly cured on Jan 23 and was discharged from the hospital, according to the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission.

A 56-year-old woman locally identified as "Chen" was said to have been cured of the illness.

Chen demonstrated significant improvements in her respiratory system following pulmonary CT scans. Two independent blood tests found the patient free from the Coronavirus, as reported by the state-owned Beijing Daily Newspaper.

The patient was reportedly released from quarantine after further examinations to prevent the spread of infections.

Coronaviruses are spread through aerosol droplets expelled when an infected individual coughs or sneezes within a range of about 6 feet (1.83 m), which can contaminate surfaces like door handles or railings.

However, these droplets only stay suspended in the air for a short time but can remain viable and contagious on metal, glass, or plastic surfaces for up to nine days.

Disinfection of such surfaces is possible with cheap substances such as 62–71 percent ethanol applied for up to one minute.

World health officials suggest extra caution for aerosol transmission in closed rooms and recommend regularly exchanging air.

Recommended measures to prevent the deadly infection depend on the likelihood of a person coming into contact with the disease.

The US CDC recommends avoiding exposure or direct contact with a person with the disease. Many countries have advised against travel to either Mainland China, the province of Hubei, or just Wuhan, where confirmed cases of the infection are high.

Other recommendations include personal hygiene, such as frequent washing of hands with soap and water, not touching one's eyes, nose or mouth unless the hands are clean, and covering the mouth when coughing.

People in high-risk areas should take additional precautions, even around people that aren't displaying Coronavirus symptoms.