China reports first death in new pneumonia outbreak
- Health authorities in Wuhan say seven people infected with the virus remain in a serious condition
- Man who died after contracting coronavirus was a frequent visitor to market linked to series of cases
The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission in Hubei province said on Saturday that of the 41 people identified as having the illness, one had died, seven remained in a serious condition and two had been discharged.
The patient died on Thursday night of severe pneumonia and was a regular visitor to a market linked to the outbreak. The man also suffered from abdominal “tumours” and chronic liver disease, the commission said.
Cases of a mystery virus – since identified as a new strain of coronavirus – emerged in Wuhan last month. Many of the patients had worked at a seafood market where wild animals such as pheasants and snakes, as well as rabbit organs, had also been sold. The market has since been closed.
The commission said no new cases had been reported since January 3, and no medical staff had been infected.
“There is no clear evidence proving human-to-human transmission,” it said. “People who have been in close contact with the patients, including medical workers, have not been infected.”
