The outbreak of the new coronavirus detected in late December 2019 has already infected more than 42,000 people and caused more than 1,000 deaths, according to data gathered by China’s health authorities.
On Tuesday, 108 people died, almost all, except five, were registered in Hubei province, where the virus was identified. This is the most serious public health crisis since Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), between 2002 and 2003.
So far, almost all deaths have occurred in territorial China (1,016). The other two fatalities were recorded in Hong Kong and the Philippines.
After China, it is Japan that has the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases. Most of the cases (135) are on the Diamond Princess, the quarantined ship that is still docked in the port of Yokohama.
Of the 3,700 passengers, eight Portuguese are on board. According to the Directorate-General for Health, they have no symptoms so far.
More than 25 countries worldwide have confirmed cases of coronavirus. The six suspected cases in Portugal had negative results.
Chinese officials away
Following the epidemic of the new coronavirus, China is moving away several responsible, including the director of the Hubei Health Commission, Liu Yingzi, and the Communist Party secretary on the same commission, Zhang Jin.
Liu and Zhang are, to date, the highest-ranking officials to be dismissed in the wake of the public health crisis.
According to the BBC, the local leader of the Red Cross was also fired. For the time being, there is no indication that any member of the central government may be removed.
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The Beijing-controlled press has blamed the authorities in Hubei, particularly on the capital of that Chinese province, Wuhan.
At the time of SARS, between 2002 and 2013, senior figures from the party were removed, including Beijing Mayor Meng Xuenong and Health Minister Zhang Wenkang.
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