Xi in Beijing; 98 new deaths take toll to 909

Beijing, Feb 10: Chinese President Xi Jinping, wearing a mask, on Monday toured Beijing city to oversee the efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak and said though the situation remained “very serious” China can score a full victory over the epidemic, which has emerged as the biggest challenge to his leadership.

The death toll from the outbreak rose to 909 with 98 new fatalities reported on Sunday, mostly in the worst-affected Hubei province. The confirmed cases of infection spiralled to 40,235, Chinese health officials said.

Mr Xi, who mostly remained indoors while his No. 2 Premier Li Keqiang, and other senior Communist Party officials toured affected areas including virus-hit Wuhang. Wearing a mask, Mr Xi spoke to the doctors and learnt about the treatment of infected patients. He made video calls to hospitals in Wuhan.—