The death toll in China from the new coronavirus epidemic has been revised downward to 1,380 on Friday after officials said some fatalities had been counted more than once.
China's National Health Commission removed 108 deaths after discovering "duplicate statistics" in central Hubei province.
The commission also subtracted 1,043 from the total number of confirmed infections in Hubei after "verification," and hence the total number of cases stands at 63,851.
The extent of the epidemic seemingly showed a sudden development after authorities in Hubei started counting patients who were diagnosed through lung imaging, in addition to those who undergo lab tests.
The revision added nearly 15,000 patients to Hubei's count in a single day.■
<Photo: Yonhap News>
