FIA monitoring China coronavirus with 'relevant authorities'

The FIA has issued a brief statement on the Coronavirus outbreak in China, with motorsport's governing body keeping an eye on developments in the country that will host in April the fourth round of the 2020 F1 world championship.

China is still battling the epidemic which it is believed originated in the central city of Wuhan which has since been completely sealed off and locked down.

The death toll rose to 170 on Thursday while the number of confirmed cases in China has grown to 7,711 cases, up from 5,974 a day earlier.

• Is the China GP in jeopardy following Coronavirus outbreak?

The World Health Organization has warned foreign governments to be "on alert" but has so far refrained from declaring the outbreak a global health emergency.

"Following the coronavirus epidemic that broke out in China at the beginning of the year, the FIA is closely monitoring the evolving situation with relevant authorities and its Member Clubs, under the direction of FIA Medical Commission President, Professor Gérard Saillant," the governing body said on Thursday.

"The FIA will evaluate the calendar of its forthcoming races and, if necessary, take any action required to help protect the global motor sport community and the wider public."

The Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai is set to take place on April 19, leaving over two and a half months for the epidemic to subside or brought under control.

However, the Chinese round of the Formula E championship scheduled on March 21 on the island of Hainan could fall within a restricted window of public events.

China's authorities have already canceled or postponed multiple sporting events for February due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

The World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing have been scrapped while all Chinese football matches have been postponed indefinitely.

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