A deadly outbreak of a new strain of the coronavirus has claimed another victim in China.
219 people have been infected so far and there are fears the number could jump as authorities confirmed the virus can pass from human-to-human.
The outbreak began in Wuhan.
Health officials there announced an 89-year-old man died this week, bringing the death toll to four. They say he was hospitalized after complaining of breathing problems earlier this month.
The majority of the cases have been reported in the city.
But authorities confirmed the virus has spread to other parts of China, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong province.
Fifteen medical personnel have also reportedly tested positive.
There have been four cases outside of the country as well; two in Thailand, one in Japan and one in South Korea.
China's state-run media says President Xi Jinping has told state bodies to take steps to contain the spread of the disease ahead of one of China's busiest travel periods.
The Lunar New Year holidays begin Friday. Officials are stepping up measures at train stations ahead of then.
In 2003, another strain in the coronavirus family spread quickly after the Lunar New Year. SARS killed nearly 800 people worldwide.
A media outlet affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party urged the government to be transparent.
The Global Times said in an editorial, "In the early moments of SARS, there was concealment in China. This must not be repeated."
The World Health Organization is paying close attention.
It announced it will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday to decide whether to declare the outbreak a global health crisis.
NHK
