China vice premier says Hubei virus control improving, situation still severe

A medical worker in protective suit transports oxygen tanks at Wuhan Red Cross Hospital in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak, in Hubei province, China on February 16, 2020. (REUTERS Photo)

BEIJING, February 19 (Reuters): Efforts to prevent and control the coronavirus in China's Hubei province have made progress but the situation remains severe, Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan said on Wednesday, according to state-run CCTV.

Authorities in Beijing are urging both Hubei and its city of Wuhan - which is at the centre of the outbreak - to strengthen checks on patients with fever, the broadcaster said.