The Russian Prime Minister said the country plans to expel foreigners diagnosed with new strain of corona virus (nCoV) to protect people.

"Now, nCoV acute pneumonia has been added to the list of particularly dangerous diseases, allowing us to expel foreign nationals if they are diagnosed with such a disease," Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin today speaking at a government meeting.

The Russian Prime Minister also said that the annual investment forum in Sochi, scheduled for mid-this month, would be postponed. "We must first think about the safety and health of Russian citizens and forum participants," Mishustin said.

Russia has confirmed two cases of nCoV infection, both Chinese nationals. The patients are being treated at a hospital in Siberia. "Patients diagnosed with the dangerous virus have been quarantined and doctors are providing them with all the necessary support," Mishustin said.

However, a Chinese patient told local media that he was not happy with the state of the hospital in the city of Chita, eastern Siberia. The man also accused doctors of not immediately notifying him that he was positive for nCoV.

"The situation is under control," the Russian Prime Minister said, adding that measures have been taken to prevent the virus from spreading such as closing the 4,300 km long land border with China, suspending tourist visas and Work visas for Chinese people.

The acute pneumonia epidemic caused 362 deaths, including 361 in China and a Wuhan man in the Philippines, the number of infections also increased to more than 17,000. Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said more than 900 Russians in China had been repatriated in the past two days. Russia is also preparing to evacuate about 130 people from the epidemic center in Hubei province.

Countries with nCoV-infected patients. Click on the image to see details.