China confirms new coronavirus spreads from humans to humans

The number of those infected by a mysterious new strain of pneumonia-causing coronavirus continues to rise in China with the first case being reported in Shanghai as experts have confirmed that the virus can be spread from human-to-human.
China’s official Xinhua news agency said on Monday night that 217 cases of the virus have been identified in the country with seven more suspected. The majority of these cases have been discovered in the central city of Wuhan where the pneumonia outbreak occurred last month.
In total, 198 cases have been confirmed in Wuhan. So far, three people have died as a result of the virus with the first death occurring last Wednesday.
Meanwhile, an additional 14 cases have been reported in Guangzhou and five in Beijing. Japan, Thailand, and South Korea have also reported infections, all originating from travelers arriving from Wuhan.

On Monday night, health authorities in Shanghai confirmed that a 56-year-old woman at a local hospital was found to have the virus. She arrived in Shanghai from Wuhan on January 12 before going to the hospital for treatment on January 15 after showing symptoms of fever and fatigue.

As the number of infected continues to rise, Zhong Nanshan, a respiratory expert leading China’s National Health Commission, confirmed to CCTV News that the coronavirus can be spread through human-to-human contact, revealing that 14 medical workers have become infected.
This revelation comes just as the world’s largest human migration is about to kick into full gear with hundreds of millions of people in China traveling home to spend the Chinese New Year with their families.
Wuhan is one of the country's largest transport hubs. Infrared thermometers have been installed at airports, train stations, and bus stations across the city. The local government is now requiring that anyone leaving the city have their temperature checked. Those with a high temperature may not be allowed to leave.
Of course, this all comes weeks after the outbreak first occurred. Previously, there had been no such restrictions on leaving the city as the government tried to calm any possible panic.
That hasn't seemed to work. One foreign resident tweets that students are going door-to-door to give out health advisories to residents.

Meanwhile, a viral video shared on Chinese social media shows medical staff carrying out temperature checks on a flight from Wuhan to Macao.

The whole situation can’t help but call to mind another coronavirus outbreak — the 2002/2003 SARS epidemic that killed at least 774 in southern China. 
President Xi Jinping issued a proclamation on Monday, ordering that “resolute efforts” by carried out to curb the spread of the virus including “heightened attention and all-out prevention and control efforts.”

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