Top China official: 'Situation grim and complex'

China's top health official on Friday described the situation regarding the viral outbreak that is spreading globally as "still grim and complex". Ma Xiaowei, Minister of China's National Health Commission (NHC), told a news conference on Friday that despite some successes in containing the new virus, there is a risk of the epidemic rebounding as people return to work and school.

He said that China managed to contain the spread of the virus and curb human-to-human infections after the central government implemented "unprecedented" measures.

The central government is now encouraging the businesses to reopen, in order to boost the recovery of the economy.

The outbreak has now affected over 83,000 people globally.

On Friday, the deepening health crisis became an economic one too, with the virus outbreak sapping financial markets, emptying shops and businesses, and putting major sites and events off limits.