'First Warning of Novel Coronavirus' 34-Year-Old Chinese Doctor Li Wenliang Dies

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] Dr. Li Wenliang, the Chinese doctor who first warned about the spread of the novel coronavirus in December last year, has died.

On the 7th, the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that Li, who was a confirmed COVID-19 patient, passed away at 2:58 a.m. at the young age of 34. He began coughing while treating confirmed COVID-19 patients last month, was subsequently diagnosed with the virus, and was undergoing treatment but ultimately died.

He is known as one of the first doctors to share information about the novel coronavirus with the public and to issue warnings.

In December last year, he posted online that people who had visited a seafood market were diagnosed with a SARS-like illness and were isolated in the hospital with cluster pneumonia, which led to his prosecution by Chinese public security authorities.

After his disclosure, Wuhan health authorities revealed that some people from the seafood wholesale market were being treated for cluster pneumonia. At that time, Chinese authorities considered his disclosure of disease information to the public without government approval as an "illegal act."

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