The coronavirus death toll exceeded 1,000 on Monday February 10, as health workers around the world continue working hard to contain the flu-like virus since its outbreak in Wuhan, the provincial capital of Hubei.
China’s National Health Commission said the total number of deaths on the mainland reached 1,016 by midnight on Monday. 2,478 new cases of infection were also confirmed, bringing the total to 42,638.
Two senior health officials, Zhang Jin who is the party secretary of the health commission for Hubei and Ling Yingzi who is director of the Hubei Provincial Health Commission have also been removed from their posts as confirmed by the state media on Tuesday February 11.
The health workers were sacked after Chinese President, Xi Jinping visited health facilities in Beijing. Hong Kong and the Philippines have each reported one death stemming from the virus.
Recall that the World Health Organization last month, declared coronavirus to be a health emergency of “international concern.”
Some countries including the U.S, Philippines, Japan and Australia have already enforced temporary travel restrictions as part of an effort to contain the virus.
20,000 medical personnel in China have been sent been sent to Wuhan and it was further gathered that more health workers are on their way. In a meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on Monday, a group of leaders tasked with beating the virus said it would work to solve raw material and labour shortages and boost supplies of masks and protective clothing.
