[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan, Intern Reporter Kim Sungyeol] It has been revealed that more than 100 bodies are cremated daily in Wuhan, the origin of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia). This has raised suspicions that the number of deaths announced by the Chinese authorities has been understated.
The British daily 'Daily Star' reported on the 5th, based on a tip from a worker at a Wuhan crematorium, that "they have been working non-stop 24 hours a day for a whole week to cremate bodies of those who died from Wuhan pneumonia."
According to the report, since the 28th of last month, 100 bodies have been cremated daily at the Wuhan crematorium.
The informant claimed, "Bodies of those who died from Wuhan pneumonia are flooding in, and we are continuing to work without proper protective suits and without being able to go home."
He added, "I am responsible for collecting bodies from a hospital in Wuhan city, the Huoshenshan Hospital built in 10 days, and other small hospitals," and "If requested by ordinary citizens, I also visit their homes to transport bodies to the crematorium."
He said, "We need 100 body bags every day." The Daily Star analyzed through this statement that there are far more deaths than the official number announced by the Chinese government.
He continued, "Crematorium workers sit down briefly to rest while working," and "We cannot stop this work because we cannot leave the bodies unattended."
Another informant said, "All male workers collect bodies, while female workers answer phones or disinfect the crematorium," and "We work 24 hours a day. It is very exhausting."
The American daily 'The New York Times' also reported that residents in the Wuhan area do not trust the official announcements by the Chinese government.
According to the report, only patients confirmed to have Wuhan pneumonia who die are counted as official deaths, but it is difficult to get confirmed at hospitals. There are also criticisms that diagnostic kits are not sufficiently provided.
The person in charge of a designated Wuhan pneumonia hospital told the Chinese economic weekly 'Caixin', "There were 80 patients with lung infections in the hospital over two days, but only 5 were allowed to be admitted," and "The remaining 75 were inevitably sent home."
Another designated hospital doctor stated, "There were 600 severe patients, but due to a shortage of nucleic acid test kits, not a single confirmed diagnosis was made."
If these patients die, they are recorded not as Wuhan pneumonia deaths but as 'ordinary pneumonia deaths' or 'unconfirmed deaths.'
Additionally, on the 1st, a video was posted on social media showing 8 bodies being bagged and loaded onto a vehicle within 5 minutes at a hospital in Wuhan. This video supported suspicions of the Chinese government understating the death toll.
A Chinese netizen who filmed the video revealed that after posting it, they were detained and investigated by the Chinese government.
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