China, with 5,974 cases of a new corona virus, has more infections than it recorded with SARS, though the death toll is still lower. China had 5,327 cases of SARS in the 2002-2003 outbreak.

The number of deaths in the current virus outbreak has risen to 132 in the country. That compares to 348 people killed in China during SARS.

Scientists say there are still many questions to be answered about the new virus, including just how transmissible and severe it is. More than 50 cases have been reported outside China.

Countries began evacuating their citizens Wednesday from the Chinese city of Wuhan which has been the  hardest-hit by the outbreak.

A Japanese flight carrying evacuees home included four people with coughs and fevers, two of whom were diagnosed with pneumonia.

It wasn’t immediately known whether they were infected with the new type of coronavirus. Its symptoms, including cough and fever and in severe cases, pneumonia, are similar to many other illnesses.

Several countries have confirmed cases of the virus, with most of them being Chinese visitors, people who visited Wuhan or family members who were in close contact with the sick.