Nine babies born at Novokuznetsk Maternity Hospital No.1 died during 1–12 January, with the first death on 4 January. Russia’s Investigative Committee detained the hospital’s chief physician and the head of the intensive care unit for improper performance of duties in organising and providing medical care. Authorities said the suspects were co-operating, witnesses and victims were questioned, materials were seized, and nine post-mortem examinations were being carried out. Interfax reported the Kemerovo Region Ministry of Health said the infants had a severe intra-uterine infection, and the hospital said it stopped accepting patients because of a higher-than-usual rate of respiratory infections.