AP-Coronavirus, ADVISORY

Chinese authorities are locking down three cities that are home to more than 18 million people in an unprecedented effort to try to contain the deadly new virus that has sickened hundreds and spread to other parts of the world during the busy Lunar New Year travel period. The train station and the airport in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, are shut down, and bus, ferry and subway service has been halted. The open-ended lockdowns are unprecedented in size, embracing more people than the population of New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago combined.

The AP plans the following coverage. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org

CHINA-OUTBREAK: China has decided to lock down three cities that are home to more than 18 million people in an unprecedented effort to try to contain a deadly new viral illness that has sickened hundreds and spread to other cities and countries in the Lunar New Year travel rush. By Ken Moritsugu and Yanan Wang. SENT; developing.

CHINA-OUTBREAK-THE LATEST: Latest developments on coronavirus.

SWITZERLAND-WHO-CORONAVIRUS: WHO executive committee meets for the second day to decided whether to declare the outbreak of coronavirus in China a global emergency. Committee was split on the question Wednesday. News conference planned for 1800 GMT/1 p.m. EST. UPCOMING from news conference.

ASIA-CORONAVIRUS-CHINA-WHO Q&A: The World Health Organization's representative in China has told The Associated Press that “trying to contain a city of 11 million people is new to science,” as Wuhan canceled departing trains and flights amid a viral outbreak that the representative said could infect thousands. Gauden Galea added, however, that the number of cases is not an indicator of the outbreak's severity, so long as the mortality rate remains low. By Sam McNeil. SENT: 660 words, photos..

ASIA-CORONAVIRUS-STUCK IN WUHAN: Residents of Wuhan talk about life inside a city where transportation has been cut off in the government's effort to curb a viral outbreak. By Yanan Wang. SENT: 720 words, photos.

ASIA CORONAVIRUS-CHINA OUTBREAK-WUHAN: The central Chinese city at the center of an outbreak of a deadly virus that has sickened hundreds of people and killed at least 17 is one of the country's largest industrial hubs and a major crossroads. By Elaine Kurtenbach. SENT: 400 words, photos.

EMIRATES-CHINA OUTBREAK: Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel, says it is taking special precautions to screen the droves of Chinese tourists expected for the Lunar New Year holiday after the outbreak of a pneumonia-like virus that has led to the lockdown of the entire city of Wuhan. By David Rising. SENT: 760 words, photos.

CHINA-THINGS TO KNOW: What's new in the China virus outbreak. SENT: 200 words. Will be updated on merit.

VIDEO:

-AP will provide broadcast video from WHO news conference at 1800G/1 p.m. EST.

-Multiple videos have moved for broadcast, including Wuhan scene, screenings in Manila, WHO official, confirmation of virus in Hong Kong, Davos panel discussion. Online video is upcoming by 1900G/2 p.m. EST.

PHOTOS:

-AP photos will move from WHO news conference.

-Multiple photos have moved from China, South Korea, Philippines.