Wuhan resident vlogs from epicentre of new virus

Lin Wenhua, a resident of the city of Wuhan, is at the epicenter of a new viral outbreak that's killed 56 so far.

After the government shut down transportation in the city, Lin began recording videos to chronicle daily life in a city shut off from the world.

"As a Wuhan citizen, I support the lockdown," Lin says.

"It not only prevents further spread of the virus, but also concentrates best resources to resolve the epidemic situation."

There are now over 2,000 confirmed cases of the virus so far, leading to anxiety across China as people rush out to buy masks and disinfectants.

Governments across the world are on alert as cases have been found in Taiwan, Macao, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, the US, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, France and Australia.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called the outbreak a grave situation, and the government stepped up efforts to restrict travel and public gatherings while rushing medical staff and supplies to Wuhan, which remains on lockdown.

In Lin's opinion, the lockdown has proceeded in an orderly fashion.

He says the streets have gone quiet, but that things are still operating as usual, with street cleaners still cleaning outside and local supermarkets still well-stocked.

"There is no need to worry about replenishment. There is sufficient supply of cooked food and quick-frozen food," Lin said.

China cut off trains, planes and other links to Wuhan on Wednesday, as well as public transportation within the city, and has steadily expanded a lockdown to 16 surrounding cities with a combined population of more than 50 million - greater than that of New York, London, Paris and Moscow combined.

Wuhan banned most vehicle use, including private cars, in downtown areas starting on Sunday.

The city will assign 6,000 taxis to neighbourhoods to help people get around if they need to.

Wuhan plans to build a second makeshift hospital with about 1,000 beds to handle the growing number of patients.

The city has said another hospital was expected to be completed by the 3rd of February.