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It’s been described as unprecedented — the quarantining of millions of people in a central Chinese city while health care workers try to suppress a virus proliferating across the country.

Wuhan and a number of surrounding municipalities are under lockdown, with travel networks and services shut down or restricted.

3:53 Wuhan lock-down over coronavirus leads to empty streets, train stations Wuhan lock-down over coronavirus leads to empty streets, train stations

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At least 26 people in China have died because of the virus, two of them outside the Hubei province. Nearly 900 people have been infected as of Jan. 24.

Those within the borders of the quarantine are living under unusual circumstances.

Typically bustling areas, like train stations and public spaces, are practically bare.

A worker hoses down garbage bins outside the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei Province, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. Chinatopix via AP

A cyclist crosses an empty street in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, 23 January 2020. EPA/STRINGER CHINA OUT

Wearing official uniforms and black breathing masks, Chinese paramilitary police keep transportation hubs closed off.

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In this image made from video, Chinese paramilitary police stand guard outside the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei Province, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. (The Paper via AP)

Paramilitary police stand guard at an entrance to the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei Province, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. (The Paper via AP)

Grocery store shelves have been emptied and long line-ups have been reported at stores with any items left to sell as citizens try and prepare for what could be a lengthy lockdown.

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Prices of vegetables and some other food items have soared, according to local reports.

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A medical student completing his masters at a hospital in Wuhan told Reuters that while the conditions have been harsh, there is no feeling of widespread panic, overall.

The student, whose name was not provided, said most are dealing with the quarantine as an inconvenience.

Residents queue up to buy groceries at a market as food prices soar due to the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, 23 January 2020. EPA/STRINGER CHINA OUT

Empty vegetable stalls in a market is seen as people stock up on food due to the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, 23 January 2020. EPA/STRINGER CHINA OUT. EPA/STRINGER CHINA OUT

Outside the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, which is considered the epicentre of the outbreak, quarantine workers wear hazmat suits to protect themselves.

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Chinese quarantine workers wearing protective suits and masks are posted at an entrance to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, central China, 21 January 2020. EPA/YONHAP SOUTH KOREA OUT

Chinese authorities turned a toll gate leading into the city into a makeshift checkpoint, where officials scanned travellers for their temperature.

2:59 China turns Wuhan toll gate into makeshift checkpoint as country battles to control coronavirus spread China turns Wuhan toll gate into makeshift checkpoint as country battles to control coronavirus spread

FILE – In this Jan. 23, 2020, file photo, a policeman uses a digital thermometer to take a driver’s temperature at a checkpoint at a highway toll gate in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei Province. Chinatopix via AP

A policeman uses a digital thermometer to take a driver’s temperature at a checkpoint at a highway toll gate in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei Province, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. Chinatopix via AP

A militia member uses a digital thermometer to take a driver’s temperature at a checkpoint at a highway toll gate in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei Province, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. Chinatopix via AP

A militia member uses a digital thermometer to take a driver’s temperature at a checkpoint at a highway toll gate in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei Province, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. Chinatopix via AP

— With files from The Associated Press and Reuters

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