China is grappling with an outbreak of infections from a new coronavirus that began in December. Caixin Global will continue covering this story as it develops. Please check back regularly for updates.
Read more of Caixin's coverage of the new coronavirus.
Sunday, Feb. 16, 11 a.m.
Another 2,009 people in China were confirmed infected with the Covid-19 disease on Saturday, bringing the country’s total to 68,584, official data show (link in Chinese). The death toll rose by 142 on Saturday to 1,666.
The number of daily newly confirmed cases, however, dropped for the third day in a row. Most of the newly confirmed cases were in Hubei province (link in Chinese), the epicenter of the outbreak. New cases outside of Hubei increased by 166, the 12th straight daily decline, illustrating a slowing infection rate in other parts of China. Globally, confirmed cases have surpassed 69,000.
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Temporary hospital suffers leaks in heavy storm
• Heavy wind and snow engulfed Wuhan on Saturday, causing leaks and flooding in the rapidly constructed Thunder God Hospital quarantine center that may delay treatment of new patients.
• Caixin reporters at the hospital saw (link in Chinese) water in several buildings which had just finished construction. The ground in the hospital was slippery and workers were busy mending the ceilings.
• Construction of Thunder God Hospital, meant to provide the city with an additional 1,500 beds to treat coronavirus patients, started on Jan. 27. The first buildings came into use on Feb. 8.
U.S. cruise ship evacuation plane to arrive in Japan tonight
• A chartered aircraft that the U.S. has deployed (link in Chinese) to evacuate American citizens and their families from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, currently quarantined off the coast of Yokohama, Japan, is expected to arrive in Japan this evening.
• There are approximately 400 U.S. citizens on board the ship, according to a statement from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Americans must pass screening for coronavirus symptoms before they can board the aircraft, and will be subject to a 14-day quarantine at existing quarantine sites in the U.S. upon arrival.
Compiled by Guo Yingzhe
