China Virus Outbreak Pressures Already Weakened Economy

China Virus Outbreak Pressures Already Weakened Economy
A masked vendor sells fish and turtles at a market in Wuhan, where the coronavirus was discovered, in China on Jan. 24, 2020. Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images
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BEIJING—A coronavirus outbreak in China which has killed dozens of people and spread to many countries is expected to hurt its economy, an engine of global growth, though analysts say it is too early to quantify the overall impact on businesses and consumers.

The consensus is that in the short term, economic output will be hit as Chinese authorities step up preventive measures, impose travel restrictions and extend the Lunar New Year holidays to limit the spread of the virus.