Senior Chinese officials ‘removed’ as coronavirus death toll hits 1,000

China has “removed” several senior officials over their handling of the coronavirus outbreak – as the death toll passed 1,000.

The party secretary for the Hubei Health Commission, and the head of the commission, were among those who were removed from their jobs.

They are the most senior officials to be demoted so far.

The deputy director of the local Red Cross was also removed for “dereliction of duty” over “handling of donations”.

Deputy Director of China’s National Health Commission, Wang Hesheng said the two Hubei party officials would be replaced by a national figure.

On Monday, some 103 died in Hubei province alone, a daily record, and the national death toll is now 1,016.