Coronavirus outbreak: China promises tougher crackdown to stop spread – as it happened

Officials announce new measures to contain disease, including wildlife trade ban and bus suspensions, as confirmed death toll reaches 56

• Coronavirus's ability to spread getting stronger, China suggests
• Scientists race to discover how Wuhan victims were infected
• Where has coronavirus spread?

4.41pm GMT

3.56pm GMT

Jonathan Ashworth, the UK's shadow health secretary, urged the government to reassure the public it is sufficiently prepared as the NHS is already struggling in the flu season.

He told the Guardian:

The NHS is currently under immense strain this winter with staff already working flat out and hospitals overcrowded. We need urgent reassurance from ministers they have a plan to ensure we have capacity in place to deal with Coronavirus should we need to,