Coronavirus: Death Toll Surges Past 800

At least 811 people have died due to coronavirus in China, he National Health Commission said on Sunday, as a Japanese and an American became the first foreigners to die of the illness in China.

Media reports said, The commission reported 89 deaths nationwide up to midnight on Saturday with 81 of the fatalities in Hubei, the central province at the heart of the outbreak.

China’s National Health Commission called for the “reasonable use” of protective suits in a statement on Sunday and cautioned against “excessive and disorderly” use of the clothing that would waste resources and could also increase infection.

The statement was issued as China faces a severe shortage of equipment, including suits, masks and goggles, to protect medical workers from infection.

Though supplies of protective clothing have improved, they are still insufficient, said the statement.

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has urged people keep calm over the spread of the coronavirus in the city-state after the decision to raise the alert level for the infection led shoppers to rush to supermarkets and clear the shelves of essential items.

“There is no reason to panic,” Lee said in a video that was shared on social media. “We are not locking down the city or confining everybody to stay at home. We have ample supplies. There is no need to stock up with instant noodles, or tinned food or toilet paper.”

Singapore, which has reported 33 cases of the virus, raised its alert level on Friday to “orange”, the same as during the SARS outbreak in 2003. The alert level indicates that the virus is severe and passes easily between people.