20 January
Health officials in the Chinese city of Wuhan have reported new cases of infection of a new strain of coronavirus that has likely caused a pneumonia outbreak.
The officials said on Monday that the number of pneumonia patients linked to the virus had increased by 136 over the weekend to 198.
They also said that one more patient had died, bringing the death toll to three.
Nine others remain in critical condition.
In addition, two people in Beijing and one in the city of Shenzhen in the southern province of Guangdong have been confirmed as being infected with the virus.
The three reportedly have visited Wuhan.
It is the first time that Chinese authorities announced confirmed cases of the virus outside Wuhan.
The National Health Commission is urging local governments to strengthen screening and immediately announce confirmation of any new cases of infection.
Much of the Chinese population is expected to travel during the Lunar New Year holiday period that starts on Friday.
The commission plans to step up monitoring during the period to contain the new virus.
-NHK
