China warns virus could mutate and spread as death toll rises

In Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, authorities cancelled large public events, and called on visitors to stay away

A new virus that has killed nine people, infected hundreds and reached the United States could mutate and spread, China warned Wednesday, as authorities urged people to steer clear of the city at the heart of the outbreak.

The coronavirus has caused alarm because of its similarity to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003.