The Chinese Athletics Association has announced new prevention and control methods to deal with the coronavirus at marathons. Organizing committees should establish a work team, make a plan in case of emergencies, and report to the Chinese Athletic Association (CAA) 20 days before the competition.

The situation is increasingly severe in China. The Chinese health authorities announced Friday that 830 confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the coronavirus had been reported in 29 provincial-level regions in the country as of Thursday.

A total of 1,072 suspected cases have been reported in 20 provincial-level regions, according to the commission. The pneumonia situation has resulted in 25 deaths: 24 in central China's Hubei Province and one in north China's Hebei Province, according to the commission.

A total of 9,507 close contacts have been traced, the commission said, adding that among them, 8,420 are under medical observation, while 1,087 others have been discharged.

The CAA also said that organizing committees should make positive negotiations with the local government and related departments that hold events, listen to advice and carry out risk assessments.

If there are big threats, the organizing committee should change locations, postpone or cancel races to minimize danger. If there are emergencies, the organizing committee should report them to the local government and the CAA within 30 minutes, give measures on time, and report the treatment situation within one hour. No organizing committee should make false reports or fail to report cases, and the reports should be submitted on time.