Shanghai has increased its production capacity of face masks to combat the ongoing outbreak of the novel coronavirus, according to the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Information.

The city's daily production capacity of face masks had on Feb 4 exceeded 2.6 million, up from between 400,000 and 500,000 per day during the early stages of the epidemic, the commission said.

Up to 2 million masks will be made available in the retail market. The commission has reserved a separate batch of masks for medical workers.

The commission added the city's daily production capacity will continue to rise in the coming week, as workers at the 17 mask manufacturing plants in Shanghai return to their posts.