Coronavirus: 1114 dead. Wuhan hospitals lack medical supplies and oxygen

The majority of deaths (almost 96%) are in Hubei, the epicenter of the infection. The confirmed cases are 44742; suspected cases 16,067. So far the virus has spread to 24 countries, infecting 441 people and killing one. WHO gives the virus its official name: Covid-19.

Beijing (AsiaNews) - The number of coronavirus deaths continues to rise. Data from the National Health Commission this morning report 1114 deaths, of which the majority (almost 96%) are in Hubei, the epicenter of the infection. The confirmed cases are 44742; suspected cases 16,067. As many as 746 people left hospitals yesterday, leading to 4742 treatments.

Wuhan hospitals lack medical supplies: masks, protective glasses and suits. Because of this shortage, during work for tens of hours, doctors and nurses remain in the same suit, without a lunch break and without going to the toilet. One serious deficiency is the lack of oxygen. Many patients admitted with acute pneumonia need oxygen masks and ventilation, but there are not enough cylinders or ventilators.

Yesterday, epidemiologists from all over the world met in Geneva at the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) to study a common plan to tackle the epidemic that has become a global emergency. They also found the official name of the coronavirus: Covid-19 ("Co" stands for coronavirus; "vi" for virus; 19 for 2019, the year it emerged).

WHO director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called him "the number one public enemy", more dangerous than terrorism and urged all countries to combat it with all available means.

He praised the measures taken by China, which "reduced the spread in the rest of the world" and expressed concern for the poorest countries that lack prevention and verification tools.

The virus has so far spread to 24 countries, infecting 441 people. Up to now, only one death has been reported outside of China in the Philippines.