Based of various readings, this virus has a incubation period of 1-16 days, average being 5 before someone presents with signs and symptoms. During that incubation period, someone who appears and feels healthy is actually contagious and can pass on the virus.
I think this thing got out of hand before the China government even knew it. They may be fibbing the numbers or they may not have a real idea or way to account for how many are actually infected.
I have read some articles about Chinese workers stealing stuff from Canada labs, or there being a bio-weapons lab in Wuhan, where this virus started.
Who cares.
What matters is how far spread is it? IF it gets hold here in the US, what will be our own government’s response? Can you imagine restricted travel? What will it look like IF our JIT/BAU food supply system gets disrupted?