People are advised not to travel in and out of Wuhan, the city affected by the catastrophic outbreak of the virus that has engulfed nine lives. Wuhan the city at the center of epidemic is a home to 8.9 million people. The officials overseeing the matter have appealed to reduce public gatherings to help stop the Coronavirus. Reportedly the virus has transcended from Wuhan to several other Chinese territories, South Korea, US and Thailand. One seafood market in London-sized city has been reported to be the origin of the virus.  Authorities have also confirmed that the China is now at the most critical stage in the aftermath of outbreak. Human to Human transmission have resulted in 440 confirmed cases to the date.

“Basically, do not go to Wuhan. And those in Wuhan please do not leave the city,” said Li Bin, a National Health Commission official in one of the first public briefings held by the authorities to address the issue.

Coronavirus has caused breathing difficulties, fever, cough, chest infections and other respiration-related issues among its victims.

Vice-Minister at National Health Commission, Li Bin said as suggested by the evidence the virus was mainly spread through the respiratory tract however, China has yet to confirm the exact source of the disease.

“Though the transmission route of the virus is yet to be fully understood, there is a possibility of virus mutation and a risk of further spread of the epidemic,” said Mr. Li. 2197 more people have reportedly made contact with the people infected the disease, Li added. Around 15 patients have also caught the disease as they came into contact with the cases.

The situation can worsen as hundreds of thousands of Chinese are travelling within the country for the Lunar New Year festivities.

Wuhan’s Mayor in an advisory issued for the visitors has appealed to not visit the city if there is no urgency.

The measures were strict more than ever to stem it when H1N1 pandemic broke in 2009. The subjects of the disease were put into isolation for a week in order to implement prevention and control.

Cases Reported Outside China

So far, a small number of cases have appeared outside mainland China: 3 in Thailand, 1 in Taiwan, 1 in South Korea and 1 in United States. Macau has also registered its first case of Coronavirus on Wednesday. Authorities at immigration have stepped up screening to counter and prevent the spread in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, Japan, Singapore and US states of Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.