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.
SpaceX's next-generation Starship rocket reached orbit for the first time on Monday despite having one of its engines shut down unexpectedly, overcoming a hitch mid-flight to deploy its first batch of new Starlink satellites in a truncated mission ending hours earlier than originally planned.
British police said on Monday they were investigating whether individuals acting for a foreign state were involved in an apparent plot to attack an airbase used by the United States but said five suspects they had arrested would be released on bail.
Thousands sheltered on Monday in evacuation centres in the Thai capital, parts of it still flooded after havoc brought by intense weekend rain, while swelling reservoirs in an eastern province triggered orders for more to leave their homes.
Heavy rain and storms have triggered floods and landslides that killed 56 people in India, while in Nepal, 14 have died and another 11 are missing, with authorities warning on Sunday that more flash floods are possible.