Deaths from the new coronavirus in mainland China have now reached more than 1,100 people, and another 44,000 others have been infected. Health officials say they are seeing some positive signs despite these numbers.

They say even though the daily death toll is still high, the number of new infections on Tuesday was about half what it was a week ago.

However, one of the government's top epidemiologists says the number of patients could spike again. That is because tens of millions of people are expected to return to cities across the country after the extended Lunar New Year holidays.

Outside mainland China, the virus has infected more than 510 people in over two dozen countries and territories. Two people have died so far: One in the Philippines and one in Hong Kong.

Source: NHK