THE coronavirus death toll in the Chinese city at the epicentre of the global outbreak could be more than TEN TIMES that claimed by the authorities, it's feared.

Those living in hard-hit Wuhan believe around 42,000 people have now been killed by the airborne bug compared to the 3,000 to 4,000 claimed by the state.

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9 A resident is tested for the killer virus in hard-hit Wuhan Credit: AFP or licensors

9 Mask-wearing locals in the shopping district of Wuhan Credit: Reuters

Locals point to the fact around 500 urns are being delivered to grieving families each day from seven funeral homes based in the massive city, in Hubei Province.

Reports say the ashes of 3,500 people are now due to be distributed every day in the run up to Qing Ming festival on April 5 when families tend the graves of the dead.

This would mean 42,000 urns could be distributed in that 12-day period - as the deliveries have been been ongoing for five days, reports the Mail Online.

And those living in Wuhan say they know more people are dying than what is being reported sparking fears of another state cover up.

One - who only wanted to be called Zhang - told RFA: "It can't be right because the incinerators have been working round the clock, so how can so few people have died?"

9 A shopper is checked over with a thermal scannner Credit: Reuters

9 Some lockdown rules have already been lifted in Wuhan Credit: EPA

9 A shopper hits the stores in a full haz-mat suit Credit: AFP or licensors

Another said: "Maybe the authorities are gradually releasing the real figures, intentionally or unintentionally, so that people will gradually come to accept the reality."

One source with links to the authorities in Hubei also claimed 28,000 cremations took place in the city in just one month.

The Sun Online previously reported on fears China has secretly shipped thousands of urns to the coronavirus ravaged city of Wuhan.

Pictures published by respected Chinese media outlet Caixin apparently showed thousands of urns being delivered on the back of a truck to a funeral home.

Reportedly about 2,500 urns were delivered to the site over the space of two days while another photo was said to show 3,500 urns stacked up inside.

It is unclear how many of the urns have been filled, and the total figure for the deliveries is between 5,000 and 8,500.

9 A lone car drives down an isolated highway in the outbreak epicentre Credit: EPA

9 State workers fumigate the city centre as the lockdown is eased Credit: AFP or licensors