The death toll in China's major earthquake increased by close to 1,000 to 68,109 as of Wednesday noon, according to the Information Office of the State Council.

A total of 364,552 people were injured and 19,851 others were missing in the 8.0-magnitude quake that jolted southwestern Sichuan Province on May 12.

More than 45.61 million people were affected in the deadly quake, and about 15 million have been evacuated, according to the office.

Hospitals have treated 85,722 injured people, of whom, 55,514 have been discharged, 15,394 still remain in hospital and 6,928 were transferred to other parts of China for treatment.

As of Monday, disaster relief workers had relocated 724,794 people to safe areas, and dug 6,541 survivors out of quake ruins.

A total of 92,131 medical staff have participated in quake relief work in Sichuan Province, among whom 220 comes from overseas countries and regions.

(Xinhua News Agency May 28, 2008)