Photo: China Daily via ReutersThe death toll from the new coronavirus in mainland China passed 2000 on Wednesday although the number of new cases fell for a second straight day, as authorities tightened already severe containment measures in the worst-hit city of Wuhan. The latest figures bring the total number of cases in China to over 74,000 with 2004 deaths, three quarters of which have occurred in the Hubei provincial capital of Wuhan. The number of new cases in mainland China excluding Hubei has now fallen for 15 straight days. Outside China, there have been 827 cases of the disease, and five deaths, according to a Reuters count based on official statements. The death toll from the new coronavirus in mainland China passed 2000 on Wednesday although the number of new cases fell for a second straight day, as authorities tightened already severe containment measures in the worst-hit city of Wuhan.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 18, 2020 20:03 UTC