At least 17 new cases of the mystery virus were reported by China, including three in a severe condition.

The new mystery virus has caused alarm because of its connection to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

It has killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003.

Of the 17 new cases in the central city of Wuhan, three described asmystery virus trea “severe”, out of which two patients too critical.

Those infected range from 30 to 79 years old.

The virus has now infected 62 people in Wuhan, city authorities said, with eight in a severe condition,.

Whereas, 19 cured and discharged from hospital.

The rest remaining in isolation receives treatment.

Two people have died so far from the virus after the disease caused pulmonary tuberculosis and damaged multiple organ functions.

According to authorities, they had begun “optimized” testing of pneumonia cases across the city to identify those infected.

They would begin detection work towards suspected cases in the city as a next step.

They will also carry out sample tests.

Scientists warned in a paper published that the number of cases in the city was likely to be closer to 1,700, much higher than the number officially identified.

Authorities said that some of the cases had “no history of contact” with the seafood market believed to be the centre of the outbreak.

No human-to-human transmission has confirmed so far, but Wuhan’s health commission has previously said the possibility “cannot be excluded”.

Three cases have also reported overseas — two in Thailand and one in Japan.