Wuhan virus fears send STI to its first weekly loss of the year

UNDERSTANDABLY, the focal point of market talk this week was on the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus ahead of Chinese New Year.

Harking back memories of 2003's Sars outbreak in Asia, fears of the possibility of a new widespread epidemic kept investors on their toes. But the authorities appear more prepared.

China has stepped up its efforts by widening a travel ban beyond Wuhan, where the virus originated, with public transport now suspended in more than 10 cities. Worries over the virus has somewhat eased after The World Health Organization called the epidemic a local crisis instead of a global health emergency.