Wuhan shuts down public transport as death toll from virus rises

Wuhan has a population of roughly 11 million people.

On Wednesday, the Chinese city of Wuhan said it would "temporarily" close its airport and railway stations for departing passengers. All public transport services will also be suspended, as authorities attempt to contain the virus. Wuhan, the city at the centre of the Sars-like Coronavirus, has a population of roughly 11 million people. The government is also asking citizens not to leave the city unless there are special circumstances, state media said. Those living in the city have also been told to avoid crowds and minimise public gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus. More than 440 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Hubei province, which Wuhan is the capital of, and it's reported that 17 people have died from the virus. Officials in Hong Kong also reported the territory's first two cases on Wednesday. Beyond China, cases have been reported in the US, South Korea, Thailand and Japan, and suspected cases detected in Australia. Authorities have said the virus originated in a seafood market that "conducted illegal transactions of wild animals." The World Health Organisation emergency committee met on Wednesday but failed to come to a decision on whether to declare a "global emergency" over the virus. They're expected to reconvene on Thursday to further discuss the issue.