Then, once the virus began spreading, the Communist Party began censoring public information about it and spread disinformation overseas - including suggesting that US troops could have been the initial carriers. Wenliang, who would later die from the virus, was forced to sign a document admitting the information he published was false. But, by the country's own admission, the virus is likely still spreading - via people who have few or no symptoms. Locals in epicenter city Wuhan have been keeping an eye on funeral homes since lockdown restrictions were partly lifted, claiming they have been 'working around the clock' to dispose of bodies. But as the disease began gathering speed in the country in January, China began limiting exports of the masks while also buying up supplies from other countries, the New York Times reported.

Source: Daily Mail March 31, 2021 20:01 UTC