Coronavirus outbreak: China’s death toll hits 560; more than 28,018 infections reported

GUWAHATI: Number of deaths and infections in China continue to rise due to coronavirus outbreak. In Hubei province whose capital city is Wuhan, 70 new deaths have been reported on February 6. Total number of deaths from China's coronavirus outbreak rose to at least 560.

In its daily update, the health commission in Hubei reported the number of confirmed virus infections in the epidemic has reached 28,018 nationwide with 3,694 new cases reported.

The infection reportedly originated from sea-food market in Wuhan.

Officials in China warned that in spite of building a hospital from scratch and converting public buildings to accommodate 1000s of extra patients, there was still a "critical" lack of beds in the region.

Officials also said that they are facing shortage of “equipment and material” and the officials are looking to convert other schools and hotels in the city into treatment centers.

Authorities in every city in China have placed restrictions on the number of people allowed to leave their homes.

Global concerns have also arisen about the novel coronavirus, with cases confirmed in more than 20 countries.

Earlier China had announced that a 1,000-bed Huoshenshan and another 1,600-bed Leishenshan would be built in a matter of a few days to take care of patients.

The 1,000-bed Huoshenshan facility was completed and ready to receive patients on Feb. 3. The 1,600-bed Leishenshan was to be readied by Feb. 5.

Pictures of the construction of the hospitals have been circulated widely.

Countries outside China continue to report more cases of the infections, including Hong Kong and the Philippines reporting 1 death each.

“Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans,” stated WHO.

Most common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing, said WHO.