Li Wenliang's death initially caused great grief in social media in China. However, it was quickly followed by expressions of anger towards China's leadership and how they dealt with the doctor who in December tried to warn of a new, SARS-like virus.
On Thursday, the country's large social platform, Weibo, was the two biggest topics of discussion "The Wuhan government owes Dr. Li Wenliang an apology" and "we want freedom of speech". Almost all the posts were quickly removed, reports Reuters and the BBC.
In the past, there has been considerable criticism of how the Communist Party handled the spread of the virus in China. The management is accused of not taking the outbreak seriously in time.
Investigation begins
State-controlled media first reported that Li Wenliang passed away early on Thursday, but the posts were then removed. Instead, reports came that the ophthalmologist was given life-sustaining treatment and that his condition was critical. In the end, the hospital confirmed that the doctor was dead and the new time for the death was set at 02.58am on Friday.
Now, China's state anti-corruption agency announces that an investigation has been set up following the doctor's death and that personnel are being sent to the coronavirus-affected city of Wuhan.
Corrected by police
Li Wenliang worked at a hospital in Wuhan and in December he alerted about a new SARS-like virus in a chat group with other doctors. Later he was visited by the police and charged with alarmism and for spreading false rumors.
In early January, Li Wenliang became ill and some time later he tested positive for the corona virus.