China releases investigation report on issues concerning Dr. Li Wenliang

Police in central China’s Wuhan City on Thursday revoked a reprimand letter issued to Dr Li Wenliang, who was believed to be one of the first whistle-blowers that warned the public of the coronavirus and later died of the disease.

They also apologized to the family of Li, saying the reprimand was inappropriate.

The revoke came after National Supervisory Commission released the report of an investigation into issues concerning Li.

Li, an ophthalmologist at the Central Hospital of Wuhan and a member of the Communist Party of China, was infected with the novel coronavirus on his job and died on Feb. 7. He was 34.

The investigation team was formed on the same day Li died.

According to the report, in December 2019 several hospitals in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, received a certain number of patients with pneumonia of unknown cause.

On Dec. 30, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission issued internal documents ordering efforts to treat patients with pneumonia of unknown cause.

On the same day, soon after receiving information forwarded to him by a colleague, Li posted in one of his WeChat chat groups text messages including "seven SARS cases were confirmed at Huanan fruits and seafood market", a photo and a video clip.

He later sent more messages to the chat group: "According to the latest information, it is confirmed to be coronavirus infection. The type of the virus is being determined." "... Please alert your families to take precautions."

The messages, along with other similar information, led to public attention and discussions.

On Jan. 3, 2020, a local police station of the Wuhan Public Security Bureau summoned Li for a talk in line with the spirit of Wuhan's arrangements on preventing and controlling the epidemic of pneumonia of unknown cause.

During the talk, Li said it was wrong to send the SARS-related messages in a WeChat group.

A letter of police reprimand was issued to Li.

On Jan. 10, 2020, Li developed a fever. He was hospitalized on Jan. 12 at the ophthalmology ward of the Central Hospital of Wuhan before being transferred to the No. 3 ward zone of the hospital's respiratory and critical care department two days later. Li was transferred to the intensive care unit of the respiratory and critical care department on Jan. 23 and died on Feb. 7.

Li's attending doctors said the treatment for him was procedure-based and timely and the medics did their best.

Wuhan Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau has identified Li as a case of occupational injuries, for whom a workplace death subsidy and a funeral subsidy have been paid in accordance with regulations. Li's family has also received payment from a donated insurance scheme.

The investigators have suggested that local supervisory authorities look into the issuance of the reprimand letter to Li, which was inappropriate and failed to respect relevant law enforcement procedures, and urge police to revoke the letter and hold those responsible accountable and release the results in a timely manner.