China raises coronavirus death toll to 259

China's death toll from a new virus rose to 259 according to country's National Health Commission.Speaking to press on Saturday, National Health Commission spokesperson Mi Feng said that altoger re have been 17,988 suspected cases of 2019 vel Coronavirus.

number of confirmed cases in China has risen to 11,791, surpassing number in 2002-03 outbreak of SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

He ded that y have also traced 136,987 people who h been in close contact with victims.Most cases reported so far have been people who visited China or ir family members.

virus' rapid spre in two months has prompted World Health Organisation to declare it a global emergency.At least 23 countries have reported cases since China informed WHO about new virus in late December.

(Im Credit: AP)