Hohhot, the capital city of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region has reported no newly confirmed novel coronavirus cases for eight consecutive days, official said at a news conference on Friday.

The city reported the first case on Jan 28 and as of Friday, the city had seven confirmed cases, with all patients reported to be in stable conditions.

"However, we still face a severe epidemic situation as the coming travel peaks of those returning from the Spring Festival holiday," said Wang Dawei, director of the city's Center for Disease Control and Prevention. "There is also the risk of asymptomatic infections."

"Therefore, residents should raise the awareness of the prevention and control of virus," he added.

According to Wang, the government will continue to pay attention to the control of potential sources of infection, and conduct medical observation for those that have had close contact with confirmed or suspected infections, and nucleic acid test capacity.

Those who return to the region from other places must observe a two-week isolation at home as long as the epidemic continues.

The government has also urged residents to avoid gatherings and practice good personal hygiene.