The 4th Death from 'Wuhan Pneumonia' Reported... WHO Emergency Committee Convened

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] The fourth death from the novel coronavirus infection has occurred in China.

On the 21st, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission announced that a patient infected with the novel coronavirus died on the evening of the 19th. The deceased was an 89-year-old man who reportedly had a history of hypertension and diabetes.

Among the 198 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection in Wuhan, 9 patients remain in critical condition, so the possibility of additional deaths cannot be ruled out.

The novel coronavirus is spreading beyond Wuhan. As of 6 p.m. the previous day, the total number of confirmed and suspected cases across China reached 224. Overseas confirmed cases include one in South Korea, one in Japan, and two in Thailand, totaling four cases.

The World Health Organization (WHO) convened an emergency committee on the 20th (local time) regarding the novel coronavirus.

At the meeting, the WHO committee is expected to decide whether the novel coronavirus outbreak in China constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.