(File photo: China Daily)

A French doctor working in Wuhan refused to evacuate with his compatriots and remains in the city to help.

Philippe Klein, a physician at International SOS Hospital in Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus epidemic, said he is "much more useful" in Wuhan than being at home, the France 24 TV channel reported.

A father of four kids, he sent his family back but stays to take care of the local internationals and their families, some with Chinese members, who are unable to leave. He helps with checking and tracking the health conditions of the remaining internationals.

The French doctor is confident in the battle although the number of cases is currently increasing. "The epidemic will spread in a linear, not exponential, fashion thanks to the containment measures adopted since mid-January, in particular," he said. Wuhan locked down the entire city on Jan 23 to prevent the virus from spreading nationwide.

Klein chooses to go to patients' homes for health consultations and puts all his protective gear in the car to avoid contaminating patients. He is treating some younger foreigners and their conditions are getting better, one of the signs that better days will return to Wuhan.

To his Chinese medical fellows, Klein said they are very dedicated with tremendous courage. He was wowed by the makeshift hospital, Huoshenshan, that is able to specifically take care of patients with severe conditions.

Amid global concern and even some overreaction to the epidemic, Klein said correct and scientific reaction and confidence are needed to fight the disease. People should watch their own hygiene and keep patient, and city will become stronger after the battle, he said.