Wuhan coronavirus: Doctor who had been treating patients at hospital dies after contracting deadly virus
Liang Wudong, a former ENT medic who retired last June jumped back into active duty to treat victims infected with the coronavirus, has died aged 62 on Saturday, January 25, morning.
According to news site China.org, Wudong was with the otolaryngology department that treats conditions in the ear, nose, and throat at Hubei Xinhua Hospital.
He was suspected of contracting the virus on January 16 at the Hubei Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine and was transferred to the Jinyintan Hospital two days later.
According to a Metro report, Wudong had complained of tightening in the chest and was admitted to the hospital. Wuhan Evening Post said there was a thorough checkup conducted that revealed a chest infection and Wudong was immediately put in quarantine.
The site also added that he had a history of heart and coronary heart disease. His mother was intimated about his death by doctors who said that he could not be saved.
According to a report by the Chinese Global Times, another doctor, 51-year-old Jiang Jijun, died of a heart attack later in the day. He had been treating patients in Wuhan as well. It is still unclear if he had contracted the virus.
Meanwhile, there has been a steady stream of tributes pouring in for Doctor Wudong on Twitter with people praising him as a hero and praying for his soul to rest in peace.
One of the tweets read: "God bless this professional fighting from the front, the best leaders are always front and center."
The virus has killed 41 people in China and infected over 1,300 others so far. According to BBC, the coronavirus causes severe acute respiratory infection with symptoms including fever and cough. There is no specific cure or vaccine for the disease as of now.
Recent updates say France has reported the first confirmed cases in Europe, initially reporting two patients who had visited Wuhan and later announcing a third, who is a relative. Malaysia reported its first confirmed cases of infection as well.