China reports 17 new cases of mystery virus

China reported 17 new cases of the mysterious SARS-like virus yesterday, including three people in serious condition, heightening fears ahead of China’s Lunar New Year holiday when hundreds of millions of people move around the country. The new coronavirus strain has caused alarm because of its connection to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003. Of the 17 new cases in the central city of Wuhan -- believed to be the epicentre of the outbreak -- three were described as “severe”, of which two patients were too critical to be moved, authorities said. Those infected range from 30 to 79 years old.