A Chinese expert has suggested that coronavirus deaths in China do not include people with underlying conditions who died after getting seriously ill from the virus.

The infectious disease expert gave the government's definition of COVID deaths at a government news conference on Tuesday.

He said the leading cause of death among the infected remains underlying conditions.

His remarks have drawn criticism on Chinese social media. Users are accusing government officials of underreporting the death toll, saying officials are evading responsibility and using a "statistical trick."

Case numbers have been rapidly rising across the country.

Health authorities reported two deaths on Sunday and five more on Monday.

But Hong Kong media report deaths among those infected are soaring. They say dozens of vehicles carrying bodies were seen lining up at a crematory in Beijing.