Li Wenliang, a Wuhan hospital's ophthalmologist doctor, has died this morning at 2:58 AM. Li Wenliang was infected with coronavirus during his work in the fight against the coronavirus epidemic. Li Wenliang warned the public of a potential "SARS-like" disease in December 2019.
Li Wenliang was punished by police for trying to warn the world of the emergence of the new strain of coronavirus died Friday from the disease. He was 34 years old.
Li Wenliang, one of the whistleblowers on China’s novel coronavirus now known as 2019-nCoV, died at 2:58 a.m. Friday in the Central Hospital of Wuhan, Hubei province, the epicenter of the coronavirus epidemic, the hospital said early Friday.
The end came following extraordinary efforts to keep the critically ill doctor alive in the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU). Treatments included a procedure known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which circulates blood through an artificial lung back into the bloodstream, starting around 9 p.m. Thursday.
Li disclosed February 1 on his social media account that he had been diagnosed with a 2019-nCoV infection, most likely as a result of treating patients, but said he planned to return to work after recovery. By February 5, his condition had worsened.
"I haven’t felt as good the last couple of days,” he said. “It’s getting harder to breathe.”
Li Wenling received national attention after China’s top court January 28 criticized Wuhan police for reprimanding eight Wuhan citizens for spreading rumors about an illness in late December, in a commentary on its official WeChat account. Li is considered to be one of the eight, although the police did not identify who specifically they had accused or punished.
On December 30, Li sent a message to his medical school alumni WeChat group, warning that the ophthalmology department in his hospital had put seven patients from a local seafood market into isolation wards after they were diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
A screenshot of the message was leaked, and Li was summoned by the hospital’s inspection unit for a talk. Later, on January 3, he was called in and reprimanded by local police for allegedly spreading rumors online and disrupting social order.
The novel coronavirus outbreak that began in December 2020 in Wuhan, has now spread to more than 25 countries and regions. See today summary:
Cases rise: There are 31,481 confirmed cases and 638 deaths globally, the majority of which are in mainland China. Some countries have seen a worrying surge; Japan now has 86 cases, the second-highest number for one country.
Whistleblower doctor: Li Wenliang, a Wuhan hospital's ophthalmologist doctor, has died. Li Wenliang was infected with coronavirus during his work in the fight against the coronavirus epidemic. Li Wenliang warned the public of a potential "SARS-like" disease in December 2019.
Quarantined cruises: More than 7,300 people are quarantined on two cruise ships docked in Hong Kong and Japan, after former passengers were confirmed to have the virus. A total of 61 people have been found to be infected on the ship in Japan.
Recoveries: Patients in the US, Vietnam, South Korea and Singapore have already been discharged from hospital.
61 coronavirus confirmed cases
in cruise ship quarantined in Japan
A total of 61 people have been confirmed to have Wuhan coronavirus on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, quarantined off the coast of Japan with 1,045 crew and 2,666 passengers on board.
Some 20 cases had been confirmed on Thursday, and an additional 41 confirmed today. The number of cases on board raise the national total of confirmed cases to 86.
Confirmed cases are taken off the ship and transported to local hospitals. All of those remaining on board will be quarantined for at least 14 days, officials said on Wednesday.
Toyota extends 1 week the closure of its 12 factories in China
The Japanese carmaker had planned to reopen its car and component-making plants this weekend but will now keep them shuttered until 16 February “after considering various factors, including guidelines from local and region governments, parts supply, and logistics”.
Xiaogan, records
more than 2,000 coronavirus cases
Xiaogan city, around 70km north-west of Wuhan in Hubei province, has become only the second city in China (after Wuhan) to record more than 2,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus.
Clinical trials had begun in China
for the exixting antiviral drug
Clinical trials had begun in China for the drug Remdesivir on coronavirus patients. The first person to receive treatment was a 68-year-old man with serious symptoms in Wuhan’s Jinyintan hospital. More than 750 patients will take part in the trial.
Clinical trials to test the antiviral drug Remdesivir's effectiveness in treating the new coronavirus had been approved and the first group of patients were expected to start taking the drug Thursday. Word of the trials had boosted the stock price of the drug's maker, American biotechnology company Gilead Sciences Inc.
Antivirals and other drugs can reduce the severity of the virus, but "so far, no antivirals have been proven effective," said Thanarak Plipat, a doctor and deputy director-general of Thailand's Disease Control Department of the Health Ministry. He said there were a lot of unknowns, "but we have a lot of hope, as well."
Experts around the world are racing to develop a new vaccine to treat the novel coronavirus, but they have said nothing will be ready for use in human populations for about a year, at least.
12 more cases in Tianjin,
Tianjin Total 81 cases
As of February 7, 6:00am, Tianjin has confirmed 81 cases of coronavirus-related pneumonia.
The 70th patient, male, 34 years old, lived in Beichen District, Tianjin, and had no history of tourism and work in Wuhan.
The 71st patient, male, 55 years old, lived in Baodi District, Tianjin City. On January 24, he went to the men's clothing area on the first floor of the department store in Baodi District to shop.
The 72nd patient, female, 65 years old, lived in Baodi District, Tianjin, and had no history of tourism and work in Wuhan. The patient developed symptoms of dry cough and fever on February 1st and drove to the Baodi District People's Hospital with a fever clinic on February 5th.
The 73rd patient, female, 60 years old, lived in Baodi District, Tianjin. On January 20, she went shopping in the clothing area of the Department Store in Baodi District.
The 74th patient, male, 53 years old, lived in Baodi District, Tianjin. He and his wife visited the Baodi District Department Store on January 20th.
The 75th patient, male, 45 years old, lived in Baodi District, Tianjin, and his wife visited the shoe area of the department store in Baodi District on January 20.
The 76th patient, male, 30 years old, lives in Xiqing District, Tianjin. He drove to his hometown of Xuchang, Henan, on January 22, during which he had contact with relatives of Xu Chang, whose relatives were confirmed as confirmed on February 2 .
The 77th patient, male, 64 years old, lived in Dongli District, Tianjin, and had no history of tourism and work in Wuhan.
The 78th patient, female, 56 years old, lived in Baodi District, Tianjin. On January 24, she and her husband went shopping in the jewelry area of the department store in Baodi District without wearing a mask.
The 79th patient, male, 35 years old, lived in Tianjin Binhai New District, took a train to his hometown in Bazhong City, Sichuan Province on January 19, and met with relatives and friends at his local home on January 24.
The 80th patient, female, 51 years old, lived in Baodi District, Tianjin City. On January 23, she went to the women's clothing area on the first floor and the second floor of the department store in Baodi District to shop.
The 81st patient, a 65-year-old male, lived in Baodi District, Tianjin City. He had a meal with a neighbor five times from January 20 to 31, and was in close contact with the 72 confirmed cases.
Tianjin began on Thursday restricting the entry and exit of people from all residential compounds and villages to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Tianjin is following the example of several other major cities including Beijing in enacting these restrictions.
The yellow line can be temporarily picked up passengers
In order to facilitate the temporary parking of vehicles, reduce the walking distance for passengers to get on and off, and reduce the risk of spreading the epidemic, during the epidemic prevention and control period, the public security traffic management department temporarily allow the vehicles for temporarily stopping the passengers on the yellow line section. But vehicles still not allowed to park for passengers. This measure will be adjusted and notified in advance according to the situation of epidemic prevention and control and road traffic.
More Bus routes are suspended in Tianjin, Wuqing District suspended all of them
In order to prevent the epidemic from spreading on public transportation, bus routes 505, 506, 509, 135, 117, and 138 will be suspended from February 7.
All 27 bus routes in the Wuqing District have ceased operation since 14:00 on February 4, 2020, and five bus routes shortened their mileage and will not enter Wuqing District.
Tianjin will launch new regulation on Wild Animal Trade
After the outbreak of a new and deadly strain of the Coronavirus, believed to be caused due to an illegally imported animal in Wuhan’s wildlife market, Tianjin will launch a newregulation on the trade of wild animals. The first draft of "Tianjin Municipal People's Government's Regulations on Strengthening Wild Animals Management" has been completed, and is now asking for opinions from the society.
China waives fees for train ticket cancellationsextended to March 31
China's railway operator will allow passengers to cancel their tickets nationwide without charging fees.
The measure will be taken starting from February 6th, as part of the efforts to control the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak, said China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.
Under the policy, passengers who have previously purchased train tickets at railway stations, online railway ticket-booking platform 12306 or other channels may cancel their tickets and get refunds for free.
For passengers who are unable to process refunds online, the railway department continues to introduce service measures to extend the time limit for refunds. Passengers who used cash to purchase tickets before 24:00 on February 5 or have exchanged paper tickets (including reimbursement vouchers) before 24:00 on February 5 can be postponed to March if they are unable to refund at the station. Refunds will be processed before 24:00 on the 31st; if the entry channel of the station where the train ticket is issued is closed, the refund can be processed within 30 days from the day when the entry channel is restored; refunds must be processed at the station where the ticket was purchased or at the place of departure. The refund fee will continue to be waived during the application process.
The purchases of railway accident insurance shall be handled together, the company said.