Coronavirus death toll rises to 3,045 in China

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - Death toll from the novel coronavirus has reached 3,045 in China, local media reported on Friday.

According to China’s National Health Commission, 30 people died due to the virus known as COVID-19 on Thursday, while 143 new cases were recorded, Xinhua News reported.

Most deaths have been reported from Hubei province, where the virus originated last December.

The number of deaths due to the infection rose to 3,045, including two in Hong Kong and one in Taiwan, the broadcaster CGTN reported.

The total number of confirmed cases on the mainland has topped 80,550. More than 53,700 patients were discharged from hospital after recovery.

Besides, Hong Kong reported 104, Macao 10 and Taiwan 44 cases of the virus.

Meanwhile, South Korea said Friday the number of confirmed infection cases rose to 6,284. The death toll in the country is currently 42.

Business in Japan which has reported more than 1,000 cases, including those from virus-hit Diamond Princess ship, are witnessing a slump due to the spread of the virus.

Japanese automakers have partially closed their plants, Kyodo news reported.

In Australia, New South Wales reported Friday 28 more cases, taking total number of cases to nearly 80.

Urging governments across the globe to take coronavirus epidemic seriously, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned them that the coronavirus epidemic is "not a drill".

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the COVID-19 epidemic can be pushed back "but only with a collective, coordinated and comprehensive approach that engages the entire machinery of government."