Virus death toll tops 100 in China in single day

China’s daily death toll from the coronavirus outbreak rose above 100 for the first time, pushing the total number of deaths from the virus in the country to more than 1,000, The Associated Press reported.

The National Health Commission said in its daily update Tuesday that 108 deaths had been reported over the previous 24 hours. Mainland China has now seen at least 1,016 fatalities from the disease since December. 

The spike comes after Chinese President Xi Jinping visited a community health center in Beijing on Monday and expressed confidence in the “war against the disease.” 

Xi wore a surgical mask and had his temperature taken at the facility, where he thanked health workers on behalf of the Communist Party and Chinese government.

“We will most definitely win this people’s war,” Xi said.

Public health officials in China are facing growing questions on how authorities have handled the outbreak, specifically local officials in Wuhan where the outbreak began. Public anger has grown over the death of Dr. Li Wenliang, who was one of several medical professionals who warned of the virus late last year. 

No top-level health officials have lost their jobs over the outbreak, state media reported Tuesday, according to the AP. However, some officials in Hubei province, the area surrounding Wuhan, have been relieved of their duties. The government has not confirmed specific reasons for the move, the news service reported.

There are now 42,638 confirmed cases of the virus in China, the AP noted. 

More offices and stores in China were reportedly opening this week after an extended break over the Lunar New Year. However, many people are still staying home, and authorities are observing whether workers returning to cities will expand the spread of the virus.

Multiple countries, including the United States, the Philippines, Japan and Australia have enforced travel restrictions in an effort to contain the virus. A 60-year-old U.S. citizen died over the weekend from the coronavirus in Wuhan, a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Beijing confirmed.