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.
An Air India plane with more than 200 people on board crashed near the airport in India's western city of Ahmedabad, the airline and police officials said on Thursday, without specifying whether there were any fatalities.
The United Nations General Assembly will vote on Thursday on a draft resolution that demands an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the war in Gaza after the US vetoed a similar effort in the Security Council last week.
Israel's parliament rejected early on Thursday a preliminary vote to dissolve itself, the Knesset said in a statement, after an agreement was reached regarding a dispute over conscription.
US troops in Los Angeles are authorised to detain people until police can arrest them, their commanding officer said on Wednesday, as hundreds of Marines prepared to move into a city rocked by protests over President Donald Trump's immigration raids.
The Arab League has welcomed the sanctions imposed on two Israeli far-right ministers, saying the move is a step towards accountability for "instigated violence" and "contributing to settler attacks on Palestinians".