TSR Health: China is in an uproar, after the doctor who broke the news of the coronavirus passes away after contracting the illness. Apparently, he was seen as a “whistleblower” across the country, as authorities did not believe the virus existed.
According to CNN, Li Wenliang died of the virus at Wuhan Central Hospital, where he worked. People are unhappy, as there have been many conflicting statements about his unfortunate condition, and the severity of the virus.
“Our hospital’s ophthalmologist Li Wenliang was unfortunately infected with coronavirus during his work in the fight against the coronavirus epidemic,” the hospital said in a statement. “He died at 2:58 am on Feb 7 after attempts to resuscitate were unsuccessful.”
Dr. Li was among a number of Chinese citizens who were detained for spreading the news about the virus. He reportedly warned health specialists about a “SARS-like” virus spreading in Wuhan. He apparently did not spread any false information, but city officials were trying to downplay the severity of the outbreak and its risk to the public.
Back in December, Li had reportedly posted in his medical school alumni group on the Chinese messaging app WeChat that seven patients from a local seafood market had been diagnosed with a SARS-like illness. He also said they were quarantined in his hospital in Wuhan.
Dr. Li was one of several medics targeted by police for trying to blow the whistle on the deadly virus in the early weeks of the outbreak, which has reportedly sickened more than 28,000 people and killed more than 560.
Early on Thursday night, several state media outlets reported Li had passed away, which caused an uproar on Chinese social media. After hours of confusion, Wuhan Central Hospital released a statement saying Li was still alive and in critical conditions. They also added that they were “making attempts to resuscitate him.”
If you or anybody you know starts to feel any coronavirus-like symptoms, medics are encouraging you to see a doctor as soon as possible!
