The death toll for the new strain of coronavirus has risen to at least 26 in China.
Chinese authorities have also confirmed that there are currently 830 cases of patients infected with the flu-like virus nationwide.
Travel restrictions have also been put in place and will be affecting at least 20 million people across 10 different cities in China, including Wuhan where the virus first emerged.
Cities have been shutting down and lockdowns have been implemented on the eve of Lunar New Year - one of the most important celebrations for Chinese people.
The Disney Resort in Shanghai has released a statement saying it will be temporarily closing in order to help prevent the disease from spreading.
Cases of the new virus have been detected in Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and the United States, as health officials work to prevent a global emergency.
Reports also suggest that the new strain is believed to have emerged late last year from illegally traded wildlife in Wuhan's animal market.
The United States cancelled a planned Budapest summit between President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin following Russia's firm stance on hardline demands regarding Ukraine, the Financial Times reported on Friday.
Hurricane Melissa's confirmed death toll has climbed to 49, according to official reports, after it wreaked destruction across much of the northern Caribbean and headed towards Bermuda.
Britain's King Charles has stripped his younger brother Andrew of his title of prince and forced him out of his Windsor home, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday, seeking to distance the royals from him over his links to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
The death toll from the heavy floods in central Vietnam has risen to 13, the government said on Friday, as residents of the flooded Hoi An started clean-up operations as the water levels began to subside.
The US has granted India a six-month sanctions waiver to operate the Iranian port of Chabahar, India said on Thursday, boosting its efforts to enhance trade with Afghanistan and Central Asian countries bypassing Pakistan.
The UAE has launched an urgent humanitarian mission to assist communities affected by Hurricane Melissa, which devastated parts of Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba.
His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, looked at ways to advance cooperation with South Korea in key sectors during talks with President Lee Jae-myung in Gyeongju.