Coronavirus: two deaths in Wuhan thought to be first of foreign nationals

US citizen, 60, died of virus, while Japan says citizen who died had symptoms of virus

A US national in China has become the first foreigner confirmed to have died from the new coronavirus, while a Japanese man also died after experiencing symptoms consistent with the disease, authorities have said.

Officials announced the death toll had risen to 724, with 86 more people dying in mainland China – the highest one-day jump so far. The toll is nearing the 774 killed worldwide during the 2002-03 Sars epidemic.

What is the virus causing illness in Wuhan?

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