China virus death toll soars to 717
(VOVWORLD) - The number of deaths from China's new coronavirus epidemic jumped to 717, surpassing the toll from the SARS outbreak on the mainland and Hong Kong almost two decades ago, Hubei health commission said on Saturday.
 Coronavirus patients at a field hospital in China (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) |
Another 81 people died and more than 2,800 people were newly infected with nCoV virus in Hubei province on Friday, making the total number of infection in China more than 34,000.
China has worked hard to contain the virus. Countries that have infected cases are stepping up counter-measures, including halting flights to or from China and discouraging their citizens from visiting China.