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Xi calls situation grave as China scrambles to contain virus

(Chinatopix via AP)

People walk past a checkpoint for temperature checks and mandatory face masks at the Qinhuai scenic zone in Nanjing in eastern China's Jiangsu province, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020. The virus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan, already on lockdown, banned most vehicle use downtown and Hong Kong said it would close schools for two weeks as authorities scrambled Saturday to stop the spread of an illness that is known to have infected more than 1,200 people and killed 41, according to officials. (Chinatopix via AP)

By: Associated Press

Posted at 4:59 PM, Jan 25, 2020

and last updated 2020-01-25 18:59:19-05

BEIJING (AP) — China's leader has called the accelerating spread of a new virus a grave situation.

Cities from the outbreak's epicenter in central China to Hong Kong are scrambling to contain an illness that has infected more than 1,200 people and killed 41.

The city of Wuhan where the outbreak started is banning most vehicles in downtown areas to restrict people's movement, while Hong Kong is closing schools for two weeks.

The vast majority of the infections and all the deaths have been in mainland China, but fresh cases are popping up.

Australia and Malaysia reported their first cases Saturday, and other countries reported additional ones.

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Xi calls situation grave as China scrambles to contain virus

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