The Chinese doctor who tried to raise the alarm about the new coronavirus before it was even identified has died of the deadly virus.

Dr. Li, 34, was hospitalized on January 12 after contracted the virus from his patient, and he was confirmed to have the coronavirus on February 1, and The World Health organization has just confirmed his passing...

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Li Wenliang. We all need to celebrate work that he did on #2019nCoV - @DrMikeRyan — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) February 6, 2020

As a reminder, Li Wenliang - who warned the public of a potential "SARS-like" disease in December 2019 - was questioned by local health authority, and warned:

"We solemnly warn you: If you keep being stubborn, with such impertinence, and continue this illegal activity, you will be brought to justice - is that understood?"

Dr, Li was later summoned by Wuhan police to sign a reprimand letter in which he was accused of "spreading rumors online" and "severely disrupting social order."

In the meantime, local authorities had apologized to him but that apology came too late, and now with 10s of millions of Chinese locked down under martial law, Wenliang was proven very much right.