A doctor in China who died after working for 18 consecutive days was hailed by Jiangsu party secretary Lou Qinjian as a role model for all medics.

Xu Hui, a doctor at a Nanjing hospital died on Feb 7 at the age of 51, after working 18 consecutive days in the frontline fighting against the #coronavirus. Jiangsu Party secretary praised Xu, calling her a role model for other medics. #NCP pic.twitter.com/PFJGfHFkew

— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) February 12, 2020

Worked for 18 days straight

The 51-year-old Xu Hui was the vice-head of the Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, and was co-leading a team to treat patients infected with coronavirus (Covid-19).

She passed away "unexpectedly" in the early morning of Feb. 7 due to "a sudden illness" after working for 18 days straight, Xinhua reported.

Great role model for all

According to a statement released on Monday, Feb. 12, Lou said, "Xu led by example, and dedicated herself completely to her work".

Saying that all medical workers who treat patients' health as the top priority, he added that Xu is an "excellent role model" for all other medical workers.

"We must all learn from her, work hard together, and win in this battle against the virus."

Jump in infected cases

Hubei's health commission had reported a spike in confirmed Covid-19 cases since a new methodology for diagnosis was used.

A total of 14,480 new cases were reported on Thursday, Feb. 13, which was almost 10 times the number reported the previous day.

The death toll jumped to 242.

In addition, Xinhua reported on Thursday, Feb. 13, that Hubei party secretary Jiang Chaoliang was replaced by Shanghai mayor Ying Yong, who is closely associated with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Ying Yong has been appointed secretary of the Hubei Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), replacing Jiang Chaoliang, according to a decision by the CPC Central Committee. pic.twitter.com/kcgzY1ohSd

— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) February 13, 2020

The removal of Jiang from his post followed widespread public anger against the way the local government had responded to the Covid-10 outbreak.