At least 627 people have been infected with the mysterious strain of Coronavirus in China since December 2019, with several cases confirmed in neighbouring Thailand and South Korea as well as the United States. Chinese officials confirmed 25 people have now died from the SARS-like disease and three cities, including the epicentre of the epidemic in Wuhan, have now been put in lockdown. Jiang Wei, a Chinese nurse taking care of patients in Wuhan, was in tears when she admitted medical staff are “worried” because of the reports despite putting on a brave face when talking to their families.
Public transport service to Huanggang stopped at midnight and residents were warned they would have to request special permission to be allowed out of the city.
The first case of the mysterious Coronavirus was reported in December 2019 but concerns have since grown due to cases trebling to 627 in less than two weeks.
The travel restrictions have been put in place due to the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday during which millions of Chinese travel across the country and the world to celebrate the festivities.
But certainties over the risks of the Coronavirus remain little and residents have expressed their worry.
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Tourist attractions and hotels have been told to call off big gatherings and events, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Thailand reported four cases, and South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the United States one each.
Patients in these cases were either residents of Wuhan or recent visitors to the city.
Chinese authorities are trying to determine the origin of the virus, which they say came from a market in Wuhan where wildlife was traded illegally.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says an animal appears most likely to be the primary source.