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Virus Death Toll Rises in China; Xi Expresses Alarm

Associated Press

   BEIJING - The new virus accelerated its spread in China with 56 deaths
   so far in what the country's leader called a grave situation, and the
   government stepped up efforts to restrict travel and public gatherings
   while rushing medical staff and supplies to the closed-off city at the
   center of the outbreak.

   The figures reported Sunday morning covered the previous 24 hours and
   marked an increase of 15 deaths and 688 cases for a total of 1,975
   infections.

   The government also reported five cases in Hong Kong, two in Macao and
   three in Taiwan. Small numbers of cases have been found in Thailand,
   Japan, South Korea, the U.S., Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal,
   Franceand Australia.

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