The Beijing Municipal Health Committee confirmed that three doctors in Beijing have been infected with the the novel coronavirus, according to Chinese state media People's Daily.

Overall efforts to contain the virus in China has not been successful, as the death toll has risen to at least 56 as of Sunday, Jan. 26.

The number of confirmed infections rose to 1,975, with 688 of them reported to be new cases.

One of the three doctors did not travel to Wuhan

The first doctor, Wang Mou Mou, went to Wuhan for a business trip on Jan. 8 and returned to Beijing on Jan. 16, where he developed a fever and respiratory symptoms on the same day.

On Jan. 20, he was treated at a Beijing hospital, and was diagnosed with the new coronavirus the next day.

The second doctor, Lu Mou Mou, went to Wuhan for a business trip on Jan. 10 and returned to Beijing the next day.

He developed a fever on Jan. 14, sought medical attention on Jan. 20, and was diagnosed with the virus the next day.

The third male doctor, whose surname is Yan, did not travel to Wuhan.

He travelled to various other locations such as Dalian, Jilin Baishan and Changchun between Jan. 3 and Jan. 10, and sat next to the second doctor, Lu, during a meeting on Jan. 18.

Yan displayed symptoms of a fever when he sought medical attention on Jan. 20, and on Jan. 25, he was confirmed to be infected with the new coronavirus.

According to People's Daily, the three doctors are currently being treated in isolated wards at designated hospitals, and their condition is reported to be stable.

Those who have been in close contact with the three doctors are also put under observation in medical facilities.

Top image from CGTN's YouTube.