How accurate is the Wuhan coronavirus count?

As of Wednesday, January 22, officials from China indicate that 470 people have been infected by the virus and 17 have died. But how accurate are these numbers?

The Washington Post reports that some recent deaths attributed to “severe pneumonia” are not included on the official list of those who have died for the viral infection. Family members of those recently deceased shared stories that indicate a striking resemblance to the coronavirus outbreak.

In one example, a healthy 65-year-old woman boarded a train station in Wuhan in late December and then developed a cold with persistent cough and fever. On January 15th, she was hospitalized in the infectious diseases unit of a Wuhan hospital and died within six hours. Her body was quickly cremated and her death certificate indicated “severe pneumonia.”

Similarly, a 72-year old woman hospitalized for a heart problem in mid-December died on January 12th after admittance to the respiratory department. Her husband, who had visited her in the hospital,  developed shortness of breath and a lung infection died this past Tuesday. The deceased wife and husband were created immediately. Relatives told the Timesthat neither are included in the count for coronavirus victims.

~~ Janette Canare

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/as-families-tell-of-pneumonia-like-deaths-in-wuhan-some-wonder-if-china-virus-count-is-too-low/2020/01/22/0f50b1e6-3d07-11ea-971f-4ce4f94494b4_story.html