Coronavirus, lowest number of new cases in one day since the beginning of crisis

In China, 74,675 infections were detected; the total death toll is 2,121. 21% of patients are in critical condition. The number of suspected infections is 4,922. But 16,168 people have recovered from the disease. Outside China, 26 countries report a total of 1,050 contagion episodes and seven deaths.

Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - China's health authorities announced the biggest drop in the number of infections from Covid-19 recorded in a single day since the outbreak of the epidemic: yesterday evening, Beijing confirmed 399 new cases of infection, 349 in the province of Hubei alone, the epicenter of the emergency. The figure fell below 1,000 for the first time in 24 days and represents the lowest daily increase in 27.

In China, 74,675 infections have been detected. There were 115 more deaths, including 108 in Hubei and one in Hong Kong. These bring the total number of deaths to 2,121. Of the 56,303 cases currently treated in Chinese medical facilities, 21% of patients (11,864 people) are in critical condition. The number of suspected infections is 4,922. In mainland China, 16,168 people have recovered from the disease.

Last night, Hong Kong Hong Kong reported 65 new cases, two deaths and five healings; Macau 10 infections and six recoveries; Taiwan 24 infections, one death and two discharges from hospital.

Outside China, 26 nations report a total of 1,050 episodes of contagion, in addition to seven deaths. Two people died in Iran after being diagnosed with coronavirus: they are the first deaths from the disease in the Middle East region.

Japanese officials today announce two casualties among passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which remains docked in the port of Yokohama. This brings the total coronavirus death toll to three in Japan.

Yesterday, the Japanese Ministry of Health said that Covid-19's number of cases on the Diamond Princess rose to 79. 621 people on board the ship were infected with the virus - more than any other country apart from China.

The Hong Kong government organized charter flights this morning to bring 106 fellow citizens back to the former British colony. These will spend two weeks in quarantine inside a newly built residential complex in Fo Tan. More than 50 of the 350 Hong Kongers on the Diamond Princess have been infected with the virus and will remain in Japan to receive the necessary medical treatments.

In the meantime, solidarity initiatives continue with the Chinese people by international organizations and governments. This morning Kang Seung-seok, the new South Korean consul general in Wuhan - the capital of Hubei - arrived in the city from Seoul with a load of medical supplies donated by the South Korean administration, companies and general public.