BEIJING, China — The death toll from the new coronavirus outbreak surged to 2,000 on Wednesday, as Chinese and international health officials warned against excessive measures to contain the epidemic. More than 74,000 people have now been infected by the virus in China, with hundreds more cases in some 25 countries. 'Less deadly' than SARSThe official death toll in China hit 2,000 after another 132 people died in Hubei, where the virus emerged in December. A study among tens of thousands of confirmed and suspected cases showed that 81 percent of patients had only mild infections. And around 500 passengers were to leave the vessel on Wednesday after testing negative for the virus.

Source: Philippine Star February 19, 2020 00:33 UTC