Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality downgraded its emergency response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak from level I to level II starting Wednesday, according to the local health commission.

The city, a neighbor of the hardest epidemic-hit province in China -- Hubei province, had reported no confirmed coronavirus cases for 14 consecutive days by Monday.

On Jan. 24, Chongqing activated the highest level of public health emergency response to control the outbreak.

The city has reported a total of 576 confirmed cases. Of all, 542 were discharged from hospital after recovery, six died and 28 were still under medical treatment.