Coronavirus: President Xi warns of ‘grave situation’ as Chinese death toll rises to 41
The number of people that have died as a result of the coronavirus has grown to 41.
Chinese officials confirmed on Saturday – the day of the Lunar New Year – that there had been another 15 deaths in the Hubei province, where the outbreak began.
There are now more than 1,370 confirmed cases in China.
Chinese President Xi Jinping told a politburo meeting the country was facing a “grave situation” where the virus is “accelerating its spread”.
State TV reported that resources and experts were being designated to specific hospitals used to treat those with the virus.
It said treatment and supplies would be provided regardless of cost.
All 41 deaths have so far been in China, with 39 in the Hubei province where the virus originated.
A further 237 are in serious condition.
Two new dedicated hospitals are being built in the city of Wuhan to cope with rising numbers of cases.
The outbreak has been difficult to contain despite 16 cities, home to more than 60m people, being placed on lockdown and cut off from transportation.
Many of the Chinese New Year festivities have had to be cancelled as a result.
Virus spreading across the globe
The virus, which is a new strain and believed to have originated from an animal, has also spread to other parts of the world.
Australia confirmed on Saturday four cases in Melbourne and Sydney as they joined a handful of countries treating patients.
France revealed there had been three cases as the disease spread to Europe.
The UK is currently investigating a number of suspected cases with officials trying to trace 2,000 people to have recently flown in from Hubei.
The coronavirus causes severe acute respiratory infection with symptoms including a fever and cough. There is currently no specific cure or vaccine.
About a quarter of cases are thought to be severe.
The US and Canada are also investigating suspected cases.
So far the World Health Organization has not classed the virus as an “international emergency” because of the low number of overseas cases.
However, director-general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said: “It may yet become one.”
Read a full breakdown of what the coronavirus is here.