China accused the United States on Monday of spreading panic in its response to the deadly coronavirus, including imposing a ban on Chinese travelers.

The US “hasn’t provided any substantial assistance” and has only created panic, said foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a regular press briefing.

Washington on Friday declared a public health emergency and temporarily banned the entry of foreign nationals who have travelled to China over the past two weeks, to contain the spread of the outbreak.

The coronavirus outbreak has now infected nearly 17,500 people globally and has killed at least 362 of them, almost all in China.

The vast majority of cases of the novel coronavirus have been reported in mainland China, with the epicenter still in Wuhan.