As reports put death toll from coronavirus spread at more than 1,100, the World Health Organization has warned of a bigger crisis, declaring the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Now officially named 2019-nCoV, the virus causes respiratory diseases and flu like symptoms. The outbreak of coronavirus from Wuhan, China, has now spread to at least 28 other countries, according to WHO officials.
Image: UN / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention A digital illustration of the coronavirus shows the crown-like appearance of the virus.
The outbreak has affected international travel and halted economic activity in parts of China hit hardest by the disease.
Beijing now hopes that around 160 million employees would return to work next week after a lockdown in Wuhan and precautionary measures elsewhere, particularly in Hubei province.
As part of measures to stop the spread of the deadly virus, China plans to limit the carrying capacity of long-distance coaches, sterilize public transport, and take temperature readings of travelers, Xu Yahua, Director of Transport Services Department, revealed.
