The death toll from the novel coronavirus in China has ballooned to 80, the National Health Commission (NHC) announced Monday.
NHC confirmed 24 new fatalities in Hubei, the heart of the outbreak of the deadly virus.
The number of infected has risen to 2510, a huge chunk of it came from mainland China with 2454 confirmed cases.
The central Chinese city of Wuhan is suspending customs operation for four days beginning today, January 27, state-run Global Times reported.
President Xi Jinping warned that the deadly virus is accelerating amid the efforts of authorities to contain the disease.
READ MORE: Doctor in Hubei dies from coronavirus
A Chinese official confirmed that the virus is asymptomatic, meaning the carrier of nCoV may pass on the disease before the symptoms appear.
National Health Commission Director Ma Xiaowei said the disease is entering a more serious and complex period making it harder to contain and control.
“The epidemic is now entering a more serious and complex period. It looks like it will continue for some time, and the number of cases may increase,” he revealed during a briefing on Sunday.
The virus has spread to other countries as far as the United States, France, and Australia.
