Xi calls situation grave as China scrambles to contain virus
(WorldNews China)

BEIJING (AP) - China`s leader on Saturday called the accelerating spread of a new virus a grave situation, as cities from the outbreak`s epicenter in central China to Hong Kong scrambled to stop the spread of an illness that has infected more than 1,200 people and killed 41. President Xi Jinping`s remarks, reported by state broadcaster CCTV, came at a meeting of Communist Party leaders convened on the Lunar New Year holiday and underlined the government`s urgent and ever-expanding efforts to bring the situation under control. Travel agencies have also been told to halt all group tours, the state-owned China Daily reported, citing the China Association of Travel Services. Chinese tourists...