Story By: John Feng, Sub-Editor:  Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report

This is the moment a commuter shoves a cop onto an X-ray scanner and strangles him with one hand after being stopped for failing to wear a mask.

It is now mandatory for Chinese residents to wear surgical masks in public space as the death toll for the Wuhan coronavirus surges to 908 in mainland China and 910 worldwide.

According to reports, the male commuter named as Mr Lu, 44, attempted to barge into Linping Road Station – on Line 4 of the Shanghai Metro in East China – on 7th February.

CCTV footage shows him holding a plastic bag containing personal items but failing to wear a surgical mask as he is stopped at the security checkpoint.

Uniformed metro station officers wearing masks prevent Mr Lu from reaching the platform, standing in his way while informing him of the compulsory mask policy.

But the video shows Mr Lu trying to shove his way past the officers before the standoff turns physical.

As the cop appears to shove Mr Lu away from the checkpoint, the commuter reacts by pushing the officer onto the nearby baggage scanner.

As the pair scuffle, Mr Lu also appears to grab the policeman’s throat with one hand before the fight is eventually broken up by more arriving officers.

Shanghai Metro authorities said Mr Lu was escorted away and given a mandatory temperature screening.

He showed no symptoms of the coronavirus.

He has been detained on public order charges, but his punishment has not yet been disclosed.

More than 40,500 people worldwide are confirmed to have been infected by the Wuhan coronavirus so far.

The estimated death rate of confirmed cases remains at 2 percent.

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