Confirmed Wuhan Pneumonia Cases Exceed 500... 17 Deaths 'Doubled in One Day'

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] In China, the number of deaths from 'Wuhan pneumonia' has doubled overnight to 17.

According to China Global Times on the 23rd, as of 00:13, the number of deaths caused by the novel coronavirus leading to Wuhan pneumonia was counted at 17. Until the previous day, the death toll was announced as 9, but it doubled in just one day.

The number of confirmed cases in China has reached 549. The number of suspected cases is counted at 137.

Hubei Province, which includes Wuhan City, has the highest number of confirmed cases at 444. All 17 deaths also occurred within Hubei Province.

The Hubei provincial government held a press conference last night and officially confirmed that as of 10 PM (11 PM Korean time), the number of Wuhan pneumonia confirmed cases in Hubei Province had increased to 444, with 17 deaths among them.

Confirmed and suspected cases are emerging in most regions except western China. Fujian, Anhui, Liaoning, Guizhou, Hainan, Shanxi, Guangxi, Ningxia, Hebei, and the Macao Special Administrative Region are among the 10 regions where the first cases have appeared.

In Hong Kong, no official confirmed cases have been reported yet, but there are 117 suspected cases, the highest number within China.

Wuhan City has strengthened its urban measures to prevent the spread of the virus starting today. From 10 AM, public transportation, subways, ferries, and intercity routes within Wuhan will be temporarily suspended. Wearing masks in public places is mandatory.