China virus death toll soars to 717: official

number of deaths from China's new coronavirus epidemic jumped to 717 on Saturday, surpassing toll from SARS outbreak on mainland and Hong Kong almost two deces ago. Ar 81 people died from virus in central Hubei province, where disease emerged in December, according to regional health commission.

In its daily update, commission also confirmed ar 2,841 new cases. re are w more than 34,000 confirmed infections across country.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a disease in same family as new coronavirus, left nearly 650 people de in mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003.

China has struggled to contain current virus despite having placed some 56 million people under effective lockdown in Hubei and its provincial capital, Wuhan.

RE | Maharashtra Intensifies Screening At Ports For Coronavirus, Restricts Entry From China

Or cities far from epicentre have also taken measures to keep people indoors, limiting number of individuals who can leave ir home.

Friday's death of a 34-year-old Wuhan doctor who was punished for raising alarm about virus in December sparked an outpouring of grief and anger over government's handling of crisis.

virus has spre to two dozen countries, prompting several governments to ban arrivals from China and urge ir citizens to avoid travelling to country. Some have recommended ir citizens leave China. Major airlines have suspended flights to and from China.

At least 61 people on board a cruise ship off Japan have tested positive for new coronavirus, with thousands of passengers and crew facing a two-week quarantine.

RE | Coronavirus Outbreak: Visitors, Delegates Wear Masks At Auto Expo 2020

RE | South Korea: Couples Arrive Wearing Masks At Mass Wedding Amid Coronavirus Dre