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Number of new cases of coronavirus in China falls for a second straight day

Posted at 6:49 AM, Feb 12, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-12 07:50:20-05

The number of new cases in China has dropped for a second straight day in a virus outbreak that has infected about 45,000 people and killed more than 1,100.

While most of the infections have been in China, it has gradually rippled overseas.

Thirty-nine new cases were confirmed on a cruise ship quarantined in Japan, bringing the total to 174 on the Diamond Princess.

China is struggling to restart its economy after the annual Lunar New Year holiday was extended to try to curb the spread of the virus. Traffic remained light in Beijing and many people were still working at home.

In an effort to jumpstart the economy, Chinese President Xi Jinping Tuesday promised tax cuts and other aid to industries hurt by the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Xi's announcement comes as companies face increasing losses due to the closure of factories, offices, shops and other businesses in the most sweeping anti-disease measures ever imposed.

The measures have disrupted travel and other industries. Some businesses are beginning to reopen but many face heavy losses. Xi said Beijing needs to “maintain stable economic operation and social harmony."