BEIJING: Several nations, led by the United States, Japan and Canada, have told their citizens to avoid non-essential travels to China after the World Health Organization (WFO) declared a global coronavirus emergency, as the death toll rose to 213 and total infections surpassed SARS or its the severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic two decades ago.

The State Department raised its warning alert to the highest level, telling Americans “do not travel” to China and urged those already there to leave.