BEIJING: China on Thursday reported 73 more coronavirus deaths, bringing the total to 563.
The number of confirmed cases in China also jumped by a daily record, up 3,694 to 28,018, according to the
director-general of the World Health Organization.
China has defended its efforts to control the virus and urged other countries to “support” their measures, according
to foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chenying.
Countries “can assess the epidemic situation in an objective, fair, calm and rational manner, respect authoritative
and professional WHO recommendations, understand and support China’s epidemic control efforts,” Chenying said
at an online news conference.
“Fear is worse than any virus.”
At least 230 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed outside mainland China, including 12 in the US.
Two deaths away from mainland China were blamed on coronavirus — one in Hong Kong, the other in the
Philippines.