(Photo: CGTN)

Shanghai has started providing information about the novel coronavirus in five languages to help foreigners better combat the epidemic. 

The information, provided by the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office, will be in English, French, Japanese, Korean and Chinese, Yin Xin, spokeswoman of the Shanghai municipal government, said at a press conference Saturday. 

The information will include daily press briefings, news about the epidemic, as well as tips on prevention. 

Beginning Sunday, the office will also provide consulting services about the epidemic for expats in Shanghai via the municipal government's hotline 12345 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. 

By Saturday noon, Shanghai had reported 169 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection, with one death and nine patients in severe or critical condition.