A Wuhan doctor, from the same department as whistleblower doctor Li Wenliang, died from coronavirus on Tuesday, according to Wuhan Central Hospital.

Mei Zhongming was the 57-year-old chief doctor and deputy director of the ophthalmology department at Wuhan Central Hospital, and was Dr. Li’s superior.

The hospital expressed “deep condolence” at the news of Dr. Mei’s death.

Li Wenliang was regarded as a hero in China for trying to raise awareness of the coronavirus outbreak before it was publicly acknowledged by the government.

A woman leaves a flower tribute for Dr. Li Wenliang outside the UCLA campus in Westwood, California, on February 15, following news of his death from coronavirus. Credit: Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images

Li was detained in December after he warned about a potential "SARS-like" virus spreading in Wuhan.

He died in early February from the coronavirus, sparking a wave of grief and anger across China.