Deadly Coronavirus continues to wreak havoc in China, death toll soars to 132 and 6,000 infected

The deadly coronavirus continues to wreak havoc in China with 25 new dealths reported from central Hubei province taking the death toll to 132 and the confirmed infection cases to nearly 6,000, as health experts warned that the epidemic may reach its climax in the next 10 days resulting in large-scale casualties.

The Chinese health authorities announced on Wednesday that 5,974 confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus had been reported in 31 provincial-level regions by the end of Tuesday.

A total of 132 people have died from the disease. In Hubei province, of which Wuhan is the provincial capital, 3,554 confirmed cases have been reported with 125 deaths as of Tuesday.

Among the confirmed cases, 1,239 patients are in critical condition, and 9,239 suspected cases in the Chinese mainland. The Hubei province has reported 840 newly confirmed cases, indicating that the virus continues to spread at a faster rate.

The death rate from the new coronavirus is not yet known, as more fatalities will likely be reported. Most patients who have died are above 60 and had pre-existing conditions, according to reports from local authorities. Chinese medical experts said, the coronavirus can be passed between humans through close contact. Fever and weakness were the typical symptoms of the novel coronavirus infection found in the majority of patients.