Coronavirus: Death toll rises to 80 as China extends holiday

The number of people killed in China by the coronavirus has risen to 80, with almost 3,000 confirmed ill, on Monday.

According to a BBC report, the national new year holiday has been extended by three days to Sunday, in an attempt to contain the outbreak.

Wuhan in Hubei, the source of the outbreak, is in lockdown and several cities have imposed travel bans.

Health commission officials said on Monday the number of deaths in Hubei province had climbed from 56 to 76, with four deaths elsewhere.

The overall number of confirmed cases in China is 2,744. State media say more than 300 are critically ill.

Another 41 cases have been confirmed abroad, including in Thailand, the United States, and Australia. There have been no deaths outside China.

The coronavirus causes severe acute respiratory infection and there is no specific cure or vaccine.

Most deaths involve elderly people or those with pre-existing respiratory problems.