The relatively high fatality rate in Heilongjiang province is not unexpected and shows truthful reporting, leading respiratory disease expert Zhong Nanshan said.

As of Sunday, Heilongjiang had 480 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus, including 72 severe cases. Twelve deaths have been reported. The death rate has reached 2.5 percent, ranking the third only after the provinces of Hubei (except for Wuhan) and Henan.

"It is not unexpected that the death rate of the Covid-19 patients is high in Heilongjiang province," said Zhong in a phone call with Yang Baofeng, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and former president of Harbin Medical University on Saturday.

Compared with healthy people, the threat of the infection is several times higher with people with some underlying conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, etc, according to Zhong, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and director of the National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease.

"Heilongjiang province is located in cold and alpine region, so the incidence rate of seasonal flu is also higher," he said. "However, I want to express my respect for the local government for reporting the fatality faithfully and truthfully."

Yang called Zhong to express gratitude for his efforts on coordinating enterprises to donate 50 Oxyhydrogen Generator with Nebulizers to Heilongjiang.

"After two complete experiments, we found the nebulizers have certain effect on alleviating the hypoxia symptoms of the NCP patients in a serious condition," Zhong said.