Coronavirus Deaths Cross 1000; Oil Prices Fall

Hubei province, the epicenter of the novel Coronavirus, saw 103 deaths on Monday, the highest in a single day so far. However, the number of new cases detected since February 1 was the lowest till now.

The mortality rate stands at one per cent now, compared to 9.5 per cent of SARS and 0.4% for the 2009 H1N1 swine flu pandemic.

The death toll in China is currently 1,016. The number of confirmed cases in mainland China has risen to 42,638.

So far, two deaths have occurred outside China, one in Hong Kong and other in Philippines.

Meanwhile, the virus and lockdown have affected the global economy with many industries have been shut down. Oil prices have reportedly fallen 15 per cent because of reduced demand.