26 January
Authorities in China are scrambling to contain the deadly new strain of coronavirus. The virus has so far killed 56 people in China, and it is spreading rapidly around the world.
Officials in the province of Hubei say 52 of the dead are from there. Its capital, Wuhan, is the city worst affected by the virus. Heath officials say nearly 2,000 people in China have been infected. More than 300 are in serious condition.
State-run media say travel agencies have canceled all group tours to other countries, starting with those scheduled for Monday. China Central Television says this was done at the request of the Chinese government.
Hotels in Japan are concerned about mass cancellations. One hotel manager in Tokyo says he's watching the situation closely, as Chinese tourists usually account for half of its reservations.
President Xi Jinping held an emergency meeting with Communist Party leaders on Saturday, which is New Year's Day on the traditional lunar calendar.
Xi described the situation in the country as "grave."
He ordered "party committees and governments at all levels" to make prevented the virus from spreading their top priority.
They set up a new task force under the direct control of the party's leadership. Senior party officials are being sent to Hubei Province, where the outbreak started.
The disease continues to spread around the world.
44 people in 13 countries have been confirmed infected. In South Korea, officials say the country's third patient was confirmed on Sunday. Most of the infected people are tourists from Wuhan or those who visited the city.
Hong Kong Disneyland shut its gates beginning on Sunday. The one in Shanghai has been closed since Saturday.
NHK
