The Politburo Standing Committee said there were many shortcomings in responding to the corona virus, calling for improved emergency management apparatus.

"The Standing Committee of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party is demanding the improvement of the national emergency management apparatus after the emergence of shortcomings and difficulties in the disease response process. It is necessary to vigorously monitor the market. , ban and suppression of wildlife trade, "Chinese state news agency Xinhua said in an editorial today.

The Politburo Standing Committee is the organ of the highest leaders of the Chinese Communist Party. Chinese President Xi Jinping also affirmed that controlling pneumonia epidemic would "have a direct impact on overall economic and social stability, as well as the country's ability to open the door" during its meeting.

The news comes after Chinese authorities announced an additional 57 deaths from pneumonia caused by the new strain of coronavirus (nCoV), bringing the total death toll to 362. Foreign Ministry spokesman China Hua Xuanying today said Beijing is urgently in need of medical equipment such as masks, clothing and goggles.

The outbreak of acute pneumonia caused by nCoV in Wuhan City began in December 2019, spreading to 31 provinces and cities in China. Incubation period of 2-14 days, the virus can spread through the fluids when coughing and sneezing before the symptoms appear like other respiratory infections. The first death from nCoV outside China was confirmed yesterday when a man from Wuhan died in the Philippines.

The Wuhan provincial government was criticized for hiding information related to the pneumonia epidemic until the end of 2019, despite having learned about the new disease situation weeks earlier.

The epidemic of pneumonia caused by nCoV has spread to 25 countries and territories, forcing the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a global emergency. The number of infections worldwide has exceeded 17,000.