As of Wednesday, there were 5,974 confirmed cases of the virus in mainland China, including 132 deaths, according to China's National Health Commission. There were 5,327 confirmed cases of SARS in mainland China during the 2003 outbreak, with 349 deaths.

The helicopter that crashed over the weekend in California killing nine people, including NBA legend Kobe Bryant, dropped more than 2,000 feet a minute and was in one piece until impact into a hillside.

This is an increase on 16 from late last week when the Pentagon said 34 cases had been diagnosed.