Image Source: TRIBUNE

Dr Liu Zhiming, head of a leading hospital in China’s central city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, died of the disease on Tuesday, becoming one of the most prominent victims since the disease first appeared at the end of last year. At the same time, the country reported its fewest new infections of coronavirus since January and its fewest deaths for a week, but the World Health Organisation (WHO) said data suggesting the epidemic had slowed should still be viewed with caution.

Apple Inc warned that its sales would suffer because of the epidemic, hurting both supply and demand, an announcement that cast a chill on global stock markets.

Chinese officials reported 1,886 new cases — the first time the daily figure has fallen below 2,000 since January 30 — bringing the mainland China total to 72,436. The figure of 98 new deaths marked the first time the daily toll had fallen below 100 since February 11, bringing the overall toll to 1,886.