The coronavirus has killed 56 people in China, and infected more than 2,000 people globally.
That's according to the figures released on Sunday, with President Xi Jinping describing the situation as "grave".
Health officials in Beijing have sent out mobile text messages to all residents, urging them not to shake hands, in a bid to prevent a pandemic.
Meanwhile, US officials at the Wuhan consulate will be moved back home, with US citizens offered a limited number of seats on a January 28 flight to San Francisco.
The virus has spread to Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai, as well as the US, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Australia, France and Canada.


One killed, five injured in Bahrain from Iran strikes
Qatar is not directly mediating between US and Iran, ministry spokesperson says
Germany, France in rare rebuke of Trump over Iran war
Philippine president declares energy emergency over Middle East conflict risks
New York's LaGuardia airport faces second day of delays, cancellations after collision
Iran sends missiles into Israel, dismisses Trump's talk of negotiations as 'fake news'
Lebanon declares Iranian envoy persona non grata, asks him to leave by Sunday
Iran denies talks with US after Trump postpones strikes on power grid
