Beijing, January 25: A senior doctor in China's Hubei province, who was at the forefront of treating patients infected by coronavirus, died on Saturday. The news of his demise was confirmed by the China Global Television Network. The doctor, identified as Liang Wudong, was treating patients at the Hubei Xinhua Hospital based in Wuhan. Coronavirus Spreads Beyond China, More to The East: Mapping The SARS-Like Virus Amid Casualties in South Korea, Japan, Thailand.

Wuhan is the epicentre of the deadly virus outbreak, with maximum cases of coronavirus being reported from the district. Across China, over 1,300 cases have been recorded so far. The death toll has jumped to 41, with casualties also being reported in South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the United States.

Breaking: Doctor Dies of Coronavirus in Wuhan

The Chinese government is acting on war-footing to control the crisis which is on the brink of being declared as a "global emergency". The death-count is piling up with each passing day, with medical experts drawing parallel with the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) virus outbreak in China in 2002-03 which had claimed upto 300 lives.

A lockdown has been imposed in Wuhan and 13 other districts centred in Hubei region to prevent the transmission of virus. Residents have been asked to remain indoors and step out of their homes only if necessitated. Speciality hospitals are being set up by the government to admit the scores of patients and save their lives.

The scare of coronavirus outbreak has also reached neighbouring India, where 11 people returning from China were admitted after they showed mild symptoms of acute respiratory syndrome. Four among them tested negative to coronavirus, whereas, the samples of seven others are yet to be examined.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 25, 2020 10:37 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).