China has reported 108 new coronavirus deaths on February 10, the highest daily toll since the outbreak began in Wuhan late last year, as two senior officials in the hard-hit province of Hubei were removed from their jobs.

The total number of deaths on the mainland reached 1 016 in the 24 hours until midnight, the National Health Commission said on Tuesday.

Some 2,478 new cases of infection were confirmed, bringing the total to 42 638.

Of the most recent deaths, 103 were in the province of Hubei, including 67 in the provincial capital of Wuhan.