Beijing confirms 889 new infections and 118 coronavirus deaths

It is the second day in a row that the province records fewer than 1,000 new cases, after nearly a month of daily four-digit increases. In China, the total number of total infections is 75,567. So far, 18,264 people have recovered. Critical day in South Korea: 52 infections confirmed, 29 of which related to a sect.

Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The latest data from the health authorities reveal 889 new cases of contagion from Covid-19 in mainland China. These bring the total number of confirmed infections to 75,567.

Last night, the death toll reached 2,239, an increase of 118 compared to 24 hours earlier. Of the new deaths, 115 occurred in the province of Hubei, the epicenter of the epidemic. The metropolis of Chongqing and the provinces of Zhejiang and Yunnan each report one death.

In Hubei, authorities have confirmed 631 new coronavirus infections, 319 of which in Wuhan - where experts believe the virus began. Although the figure is greater than that published in yesterday's health reports, it is the second day in a row that the province records less than 1,000 new cases, after almost a month of daily four-digit increases.

Beijing reported another 2,109 recoveries, which currently amount to 18,264 in total. Suspected cases of illness increased by 1,614 and reached 5,206. Yesterday evening, Hong Kong reported three new infections for a total of 68 cases, including two deaths; in Macau the data remains unchanged at 10 cases and six recoveries; the same is true for Taiwan, which remains stationary after 24 infections, one death and two discharges from the hospital.

In the rest of the world, 26 other countries report a total of 1,153 episodes of contagion, in addition to eight deaths. Today is a critical day for South Korea, which has confirmed 52 other infections. With these, the coronavirus data in the country is 156 infections and one death. Of the new cases, 41 have come to light in Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and in the nearby province of North Gyeongsang. Three others are reported in the capital.

Of the last people infected with the virus, 39 are members of Daegu's Shincheonji Church of Jesus. The 31st patient since the beginning of the crisis, the probable "super carrier" of the country, is part of the group: she is a 61-year-old woman who tested positive for the virus earlier this week, who participated in religious services on 9 and 16 February. The total number of confirmed cases in Daegu and neighboring northern Gyeongsang province is 111, with the number of church-related cases 82.

Meanwhile, Canada reports a further coronavirus case, which brings the total to nine in the North American country. Two Australians evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan have tested positive for Covid-19 when landing in their home country: there are now 17 infected people in Australia. Tokyo reports that there are 634 cases of contagion on the ship, in addition to 93 on the national territory. There are 727 infections in the Land of the Rising Sun. Finally, Singapore also announces another case. So far, the city-state has confirmed 85 cases of contagion.