New coronavirus is 'preventable and treatable': China health official

Women wearing raincoats and protective gear are seen on a street, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, in Shanghai, China on February 17. (REUTERS Photo)

BEIJING, February 17 (Reuters): The novel coronavirus that has killed more than 1,700 people in China is "preventable and treatable", an official from the country's National Health Commission said on Monday.

Guo Yanhong, a hospital administration supervisor at the commission, made the remarks at a daily press conference, in which she also said the percentage of infected patients in virus epicentre Wuhan who are critically ill had dropped to 18% now from 38% at the beginning of the outbreak.