17 new cases in pneumonia viral outbreak

Number of known infections rises to 62, according to Wuhan health authorities

Authorities in Wuhan, Hubei province, reported 17 new cases of pneumonia caused by a new strain of coronavirus on Sunday, with three of the patients in serious condition, prompting the city to expand testing and heighten monitoring in public spaces.

The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission had also reported four new cases of viral pneumonia on Saturday. Previously, the tally of infections had stood still at 41 cases for more than a week after researchers identified a new form of coronavirus on Jan 8 as the culprit behind the pneumonia outbreak clustered in the city.

The sudden increase in new infections announced over the weekend brought the total 62, with eight patients in serious condition and two deaths. Nineteen patients have been discharged from hospitals, and the remainder are in stable condition, the commission said in a statement on Sunday.