China is 'cremating bodies in secret' as coronavirus death toll reaches 170

China is reportedly cremating bodies in secret as the number of coronavirus patients soars past 7,000,

The superbug has now infected more people in China than SARS, which caused chaos in the country in 2002, with 5,327 confirmed cases.

Despite 7,771 people being diagnosed with the illness in China, only 170 people have died - less than half that of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome).

Globally, it was ranked 17th, after the US (6th) and Australia (10th) - with London the 19th most vulnerable city across the world.

Thailand, which has the most cases outside of China as of Thursday morning, topped the list of countries most at risk.