China reports 17 new cases of dread coronavirus

China reported 17 new cases of the mysterious new SARS-like virus on Sunday, including three in a severe condition, heightening fears ahead of China’s Lunar New Year holiday when hundreds of millions of people move around the country.

The new coronavirus strain has caused alarm because of its connection to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003.

Of the 17 new cases in the central city of Wuhan — believed to be the epicentre of the outbreak — three were described as severe, of which two patients were too critical to be moved, authorities said.

Those infected range from 3079 years old. The virus has now infected 62 people in Wuhan, city authorities said, with eight in a severe condition, 19 cured and discharged from hospital and the rest remaining in isolation receiving treatment.

Two people have died so far from the virus.

Scientists with the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial College in London warned in a paper published on Friday the number of cases in the city was likely to be closer to 1,700.

Three cases have also been reported overseas — two in Thailand and one in Japan.

Wuhan deputy mayor Chen Xiexin said on state broadcaster CCTV that infrared thermometers had been installed at airports, railway stations and coach stations across the city.

Passengers with fevers were being registered, given masks and taken to medical institutions, with nearly 300,000 body temperature tests carried out, according to CCTV. Authorities in Hong Kong have stepped up detection measures, as have Thailand and the US.

Wuhan is a city of 11 million inhabitants that serves as a major transport hub, including during the annual Lunar New Year holiday, when hundreds of millions of Chinese people travel across the country to visit family.

Three cases have also been reported overseas two in — Thailand and one in Japan