Coronavirus: 3 Wuhan officials summoned to explain failings as China death toll reaches 1,018
- Over 100 deaths in a day for the first time, with all but five coming in the Hubei province epicentre
- China’s chief planner warns against draconian restrictions on businesses
The figures, for Monday, marked the first time more than 100 people had died from the disease in a single day. The country’s National Health Commission also reported 2,478 new confirmed cases of the illness, which brought that total to 42,638 as of Monday.
Of the new deaths, 103 were in Hubei province – the epicentre of the outbreak – and five were in other provinces. The virus has also spread to at least 24 countries.
Task force calls in trio
A special task force reviewing prevention efforts in Wuhan, Hubei’s capital, has summoned three local officials for emergency meetings and detailed their failings in containing the outbreak.
Wuhan deputy mayor Chen Xiexing and two district chiefs in the city, Lin Wenshu and Yu Song, were called in for meetings, state news agency Xinhua reported on Tuesday.
Officials found to have been negligent would be held accountable, the report said.