BEIJING/NEW YORK -- The Chinese city of Wuhan is shutting
down transit out of and within its borders, as the death toll from a new
respiratory virus originating there climbed to 17 people as of Wednesday,
up from the nine fatalities previously reported.
The travel restriction, announced hours before it goes into effect at 10
a.m. Thursday, involves an indefinite suspension of Wuhan's airports,
train stations, inter-city buses, as well as public transit within the
city. Residents should remain in Wuhan "except under extraordinary
circumstances," the announcement said.
The coronavirus has infected 543 patients in China, an increase from
earlier reports of 440. China's National Health Commission confirmed
cases in 13 provinces and provincial-level cities. Cases have been
reported in Thailand, Japan, South Korea and the U.S. as well. Read
here.
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