Coronavirus death toll keeps rising

The number of people killed in China by the coronavirus has risen to 80, with almost 3,000 confirmed ill. The Chinese new year holiday has been extended by three days, in an attempt to contain the spread. Today, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province and center of the outbreak. Wuhan is in lockdown and several other cities have imposed travel bans. The number of deaths in Hubei province has climbed from 56 to 76, with four deaths elsewhere. The overall number of confirmed cases in China is 2,744 and the health department announced that more than 460 of them are in critical condition. At least 42 cases have been confirmed abroad, including in Thailand, the United States, and Australia. The World Indoor Athletics Championships to be held from the 13th to the 15th of March and the Asian Athletics Championships to be held in February have been suspended in China Meanwhile, five victims of coronavirus infection have been found in the United States who were all on a tour in Wuhan, China and these victims are residents of Los Angeles, Phoenix, Chicago, and Seattle. Chinese health authorities said yesterday that any person could be infected with the coronavirus before the onset of symptoms.As a result, it has been extremely difficult to prevent the spread of the virus with most deaths involving elderly people or those with pre-existing respiratory problems To curb its spread, Chinese authorities have suspended visa and passport issuance services to the people of Wuhan, China. There have been no deaths outside China.