x

Wuhan doctor at whistleblower’s hospital dies from coronavirus

A Wuhan doctor who worked with coronavirus whistleblower Li Wenliang died of the virus last week, state media reported Tuesday, becoming China’s first COVID-19 fatality in weeks.

Hu Weifeng, a urologist at Wuhan Central Hospital, died on Friday after being treated for COVID-19 and allied issues for more than four months, state broadcaster CCTV said.

He is the sixth doctor from Wuhan Central Hospital to have died from the virus, which emerged in the central Chinese city late last year.

Cases have dwindled dramatically from the peak in mid-February as the country appears to have brought the outbreak largely under control.

The official death toll in the country of 1.4 billion people stands at 4,634 — well below the number of fatalities in less populous nations.

Wuhan Central Hospital has yet to give a formal statement on Hu’s death. In early February it said some 68 staff members had contracted coronavirus.

Hu’s condition became a national concern after Chinese media showed images of him with his skin turned black due to liver damage.

Fellow doctor Yi Fan showed similar symptoms, but recovered and has since been discharged from hospital.

The death of their colleague Li Wenliang in February triggered a national outpouring of grief and rage against the government as he documented his final days on social media.

The 34-year-old ophthalmologist was reprimanded by authorities after he warned colleagues about the virus in late December.

Beijing has since named him a national martyr, but suppressed much of the dissent and criticism sparked by his death.

Other medical whistleblowers at Wuhan Central Hospital — including emergency unit director Ai Fen — have told Chinese media they were punished by authorities for speaking out.

China has not released a complete figure of the number of medical worker deaths from Covid-19, but at least 34 medics have been awarded posthumous honours by health authorities.

In February the National Health Commission said some 3,387 health workers had been infected.

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalist As...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

Verydarkman Reacts After Mercy Chinwo Follows Him on Instagram, Calls Her Out Over Past Dispute

Controversial social media activist, Verydarkman, has publicly criticized gospel...

BREAKING: Keyamo Inaugurates Ganduje as FAAN Board Chairman

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has...

NIN Enrolment Hits 121 Million in Mid-2025 as NIMC Targets 95% National Coverage by Year-End

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has recorded a...

NCSP DG Visits Ajaokuta Steel Company Ahead of Investors/Technical Partners’ Visit

As part of renewed efforts to revitalise Nigeria’s industrial...

NECO Opens 2025 SSCE External Registration, Sets September 18 Deadline

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has commenced registration for...

FCT Striking Primary Teachers, Insist “No Payment, No Work”

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju Striking primary school teachers in in the...

NCPC South South Zonal staff celebrate , Chief Weli Wosu

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju The staff of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img