(Yicai Global) Jan. 26 -- China is at a crucial time to prevent and control the novel coronavirus outbreak, a senior health official said at a press conference  held by the State Council Information Office in Beijing today.

Ma Xiaowei, director of the National Health Commission, said that the one-week Lunar New Year holiday from January 24 to 30 is the best time to allow massive isolation and disinfection to take effect.

Recent clinical results showed that the virus was becoming more contagious, but studies are still needed to understand its virulence, Ma said, adding that preventive and contral measures taken in Wuhan are playing an important role.

"It is still in the early stage of pneumonia outbreaks," Ma said. "With strict measures taken by various localities in the country, we will be able to curb the spread of the virus with lower cost and at faster speed."

According to Ma, China will send additional 12 teams of more than 1,600 medical staff to areas hit hard by the novel coronavirus outbreak in Hubei Province.

The central government has allocated CNY1 billion (USD143 million) to fight the outbreak, sent its reserves of medical supplies and coordinated the transfer of protective clothing, face masks, gloves, and protective goggles to the hard-hit areas, he added.