A press conference on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak is held by the State Council Information Office in Beijing on January 26, 2020 (XINHUA)

China is at a crucial time to prevent and control the novel coronavirus outbreak, a senior health official said on January 26.

Ma Xiaowei, Minister of the National Health Commission, said at a press conference that the one-week Lunar New Year holiday from January 24 to 30 is the best time to allow massive isolation and disinfection to take effect.

Recent clinical results showed that the virus was becoming more contagious, but studies are still needed to understand its virulence, Ma said, adding that preventive and control measures taken in Wuhan are playing an important role.

"It is still in the early stage of pneumonia outbreaks," Ma said. "With strict measures taken by various localities in the country, we will be able to curb the spread of the virus with lower cost and at faster speed."

By January 25, the pneumonia situation had resulted in a total of 56 deaths.