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.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a third term on Friday, despite a six-month-long election dispute, international calls for him to stand aside and an increase in the US reward offered for his capture.
US President-elect Donald Trump said at his sentencing on Friday for his criminal conviction stemming from hush money paid to an adult movie star that the case has been a "terrible experience."
Wildfires menacing Los Angeles have killed at least 10 people and devoured nearly 10,000 structures, with five fires burning into a third night into Friday as dry desert winds fanning the flames again gathered strength.
An official Palestinian tally of direct deaths in the Israel-Hamas war likely undercounted the number of casualties by 41 per cent through the middle of 2024 as the Gaza Strip's healthcare infrastructure unravelled, according to a study published on Thursday.
Israel confirmed that a hostage found killed in Gaza was Hamza Ziyadne, the son of another hostage, Youssef Ziyadne, found dead alongside him in an underground tunnel near the southern city of Rafah.