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China Virus Deaths Top 1,000, Senior Chinese Officials 'Removed'

Updated
Medical workers in protective suits move a virus patient at an isolated hospital ward in Wuhan on February 6.
Medical workers in protective suits move a virus patient at an isolated hospital ward in Wuhan on February 6.

China has "removed" a number of senior officials over their handling of a novel respiratory virus, state media reported, as the death toll reached more than 1,000.

The National Health Commission reported 108 new fatalities from the coronavirus on February 11, bringing the total death toll in China to 1,016.

There are now a total of 42,638 confirmed coronavirus cases in mainland China as well as 319 cases in 24 other countries, including one death, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Chinese health officials.

In Hubei Province, the epicenter of the epidemic, 103 people died and 2,097 new cases were reported, the health commission said early on February 11.

According to state broadcaster CCTV, the Communist Party secretary for the Health Commission of Hubei Province and the head of the health commission were among those who were "removed" following a decision by the province's party committee -- the most senior officials to be sanctioned.

The two will be replaced by the deputy director of China's National Health Commission, Wang Hesheng.

However, removal from a certain position does not necessarily mean the person will be fired, as it can also mean demotion.

China's most senior medical adviser on the outbreak, Zhong Nanshan, said numbers of new cases were falling and forecast the epidemic would peak this month.

"I hope this outbreak or this event may be over in something like April," added Zhong, 83, an epidemiologist who won fame for his role in combating an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) which killed hundreds worldwide in 2002-2003.

However, the WHO has said the spread of the pathogen among people who have not been to China could be "the spark that becomes a bigger fire" and the global community must not let the epidemic get out of control.

Ukraine’s embassy in China said on February 10 that it was sending a chartered plane to Wuhan -- the provincial capital of Hubei -- to airlift 50 citizens to Kyiv.

Once in Ukraine, the evacuated Ukrainians will be quarantined for 14 days.

Gilded Cage: Life On The Coronavirus-Afflicted Cruise Ship

Men in protective clothing walk inside the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Nearly 3,700 people have been confined to the vessel since some passengers were diagnosed with the highly contagious <strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019%E2%80%9320_Wuhan_coronavirus_outbreak">coronavirus</a></strong> on February 4.
1/13 Men in protective clothing walk inside the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Nearly 3,700 people have been confined to the vessel since some passengers were diagnosed with the highly contagious coronavirus on February 4.
As the coronavirus spreads through a cruise ship called the Diamond Princess, photographs -- some shared exclusively with RFE/RL -- capture the eerie atmosphere aboard.
The Diamond Princess is currently moored off the port of Yokohama, Japan with police vessels patrolling to stop civilians <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/mjswhitebread/status/1226316078818582530">from getting too close</a></strong>.<br /> &nbsp;
2/13 The Diamond Princess is currently moored off the port of Yokohama, Japan with police vessels patrolling to stop civilians from getting too close.
 
As the coronavirus spreads through a cruise ship called the Diamond Princess, photographs -- some shared exclusively with RFE/RL -- capture the eerie atmosphere aboard.
Workers disinfect an elevator inside the Diamond Princess. A crew member aboard the vessel told RFE/RL: &quot;Horror. I can&#39;t believe this is going on aboard my ship.&quot;&nbsp;Infections on the ship&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/number-coronavirus-cases-diamond-princess-cruise-rises-photos-2020-2" target="_blank">continue to rise</a>.&nbsp;</strong>
3/13 Workers disinfect an elevator inside the Diamond Princess. A crew member aboard the vessel told RFE/RL: "Horror. I can't believe this is going on aboard my ship." Infections on the ship continue to rise. 
As the coronavirus spreads through a cruise ship called the Diamond Princess, photographs -- some shared exclusively with RFE/RL -- capture the eerie atmosphere aboard.
The view from the deck of the ship.&nbsp;Some 136 people aboard, including 11 crew members, have been diagnosed with coronavirus. At least one is a Ukrainian citizen.
4/13 The view from the deck of the ship. Some 136 people aboard, including 11 crew members, have been diagnosed with coronavirus. At least one is a Ukrainian citizen.
As the coronavirus spreads through a cruise ship called the Diamond Princess, photographs -- some shared exclusively with RFE/RL -- capture the eerie atmosphere aboard.
Passengers on the decks on the Diamond Princess. According to a crew member who spoke to RFE/RL, the vast majority of the passengers are over 50 years old. Coronavirus is known to kill mostly elderly or weak patients.<br /> &nbsp;
5/13 Passengers on the decks on the Diamond Princess. According to a crew member who spoke to RFE/RL, the vast majority of the passengers are over 50 years old. Coronavirus is known to kill mostly elderly or weak patients.
 
As the coronavirus spreads through a cruise ship called the Diamond Princess, photographs -- some shared exclusively with RFE/RL -- capture the eerie atmosphere aboard.
A gangplank being covered by a tarpaulin before dozens of infected passengers were evacuated from the vessel on February 10.&nbsp;While passengers still quarantined aboard the ship are kept informed and have been offered compensation, a crew member told RFE/RL that very little information had been given to the crew. Staff have not been told the names of infected colleagues removed from the vessel and isolated for medical treatment.
6/13 A gangplank being covered by a tarpaulin before dozens of infected passengers were evacuated from the vessel on February 10. While passengers still quarantined aboard the ship are kept informed and have been offered compensation, a crew member told RFE/RL that very little information had been given to the crew. Staff have not been told the names of infected colleagues removed from the vessel and isolated for medical treatment.
As the coronavirus spreads through a cruise ship called the Diamond Princess, photographs -- some shared exclusively with RFE/RL -- capture the eerie atmosphere aboard.
Hand sanitizer and an empty box of rubber gloves. Such stations are dotted throughout the vessel.&nbsp;
7/13 Hand sanitizer and an empty box of rubber gloves. Such stations are dotted throughout the vessel. 
As the coronavirus spreads through a cruise ship called the Diamond Princess, photographs -- some shared exclusively with RFE/RL -- capture the eerie atmosphere aboard.
A crew member of the Diamond Princess talks to a worker in protective gear.&nbsp;Crew and passengers are now required to wear gloves and a face mask at all times when outside their cabins.<br /> &nbsp;
8/13 A crew member of the Diamond Princess talks to a worker in protective gear. Crew and passengers are now required to wear gloves and a face mask at all times when outside their cabins.
 
As the coronavirus spreads through a cruise ship called the Diamond Princess, photographs -- some shared exclusively with RFE/RL -- capture the eerie atmosphere aboard.
A meal served to a passenger aboard the quarantined cruise ship.&nbsp;Since the quarantine began one week ago, staff have twice been allowed to buy bottles from the bar to drink in their quarters -- a perk usually only permitted twice a month.<br /> &nbsp;
9/13 A meal served to a passenger aboard the quarantined cruise ship. Since the quarantine began one week ago, staff have twice been allowed to buy bottles from the bar to drink in their quarters -- a perk usually only permitted twice a month.
 
As the coronavirus spreads through a cruise ship called the Diamond Princess, photographs -- some shared exclusively with RFE/RL -- capture the eerie atmosphere aboard.
A Japanese team back on land after visiting the Diamond Princess. Some passengers have raised concerns that the little-understood disease might be transmitted through the ship&#39;s ventilation system or through food.
10/13 A Japanese team back on land after visiting the Diamond Princess. Some passengers have raised concerns that the little-understood disease might be transmitted through the ship's ventilation system or through food.
As the coronavirus spreads through a cruise ship called the Diamond Princess, photographs -- some shared exclusively with RFE/RL -- capture the eerie atmosphere aboard.
Passengers on deck. Those aboard the Diamond Princess have been mostly confined to their rooms, with occasional walks in the fresh air permitted. On February 9, the U.S. Embassy in Japan said there was &quot;no current evidence to suggest that the virus spreads between rooms on a ship through the air-handling system.&quot;
11/13 Passengers on deck. Those aboard the Diamond Princess have been mostly confined to their rooms, with occasional walks in the fresh air permitted. On February 9, the U.S. Embassy in Japan said there was "no current evidence to suggest that the virus spreads between rooms on a ship through the air-handling system."
As the coronavirus spreads through a cruise ship called the Diamond Princess, photographs -- some shared exclusively with RFE/RL -- capture the eerie atmosphere aboard.
One of several printed quotes that have been pasted around the vessel since the quarantine began, saying, &quot;Resilience is based on compassion for ourselves as well as compassion for others.&quot;
12/13 One of several printed quotes that have been pasted around the vessel since the quarantine began, saying, "Resilience is based on compassion for ourselves as well as compassion for others."
As the coronavirus spreads through a cruise ship called the Diamond Princess, photographs -- some shared exclusively with RFE/RL -- capture the eerie atmosphere aboard.
A view from on board the vessel. <strong><a href="https://www.princess.com/news/notices_and_advisories/notices/diamond-princess-update.html">According to</a></strong> the Princess Cruises&#39; management, the quarantine is scheduled to end on February 19, when all aboard will be allowed to return home &quot;unless there are any other unforeseen developments.&quot;
13/13 A view from on board the vessel. According to the Princess Cruises' management, the quarantine is scheduled to end on February 19, when all aboard will be allowed to return home "unless there are any other unforeseen developments."
As the coronavirus spreads through a cruise ship called the Diamond Princess, photographs -- some shared exclusively with RFE/RL -- capture the eerie atmosphere aboard.
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Meanwhile, the number of confirmed cases on a cruise ship with 3,700 passengers and crew on board quarantined in the Japanese port of Yokohama has doubled to 135.

Two Ukrainians, a 25-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman who worked in the kitchen of the Diamond Princess ship, have tested positive for the virus aboard the ship. A total of 25 Ukrainians work on the ship.

While visiting a hospital treating infected patients in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping on February 10 called the situation in Hubei "still very grave" and that "more decisive measures" were needed to contain the spread of the virus, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

A WHO-led international team of experts landed in Beijing the same day to investigate the epidemic. It is headed by Bruce Aylward who oversaw the organization's 2014-16 response to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa

There are 168 labs worldwide that have the technology to diagnose the virus, according to the WHO.

With reporting by DW, Reuters, AP, and Interfax
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