Private companies are playing an important role in the battle against the novel coronavirus in Hangzhou in eastern Zhejiang province, according to local officials. Statistics from the local authorities showed that by Feb 2, Hangzhou-based private companies had made 1.666 billion yuan ($238 million) worth of donations to support local hospitals and volunteers working on the frontlines.

Medicine and healthcare companies, including Conba Group and Huadong Medicine Co, have assisted the city's virus control with abundant surgical masks, protective suits, safety goggles and other supplies.

"Medical workers are fighting at the frontlines and we shall try our best to do what we can to guarantee their well-being," said Lu Liang, chairman of Huadong Medicine Co.

Chaomei (CM), one of the biggest face mask manufacturers in China, reopened its factories during the New Year holidays in response to the outbreak and promised its prices would not go up.

"Our employees have been through the H1N1 and SARS epidemics and there is no chance we would stand by and just watch," said Lin Jinxiang, chairman of Chaomei.

China's leading beverage maker Hangzhou Wahaha Group donated over 250,000 bottles of drinking water and portable porridge.

E-commerce giant Alibaba launched free online medical consultation services in an effort to relieve pressure on hospitals. The group has also set up a special 1 billion yuan fund to purchase medical equipment and medicine from home and abroad.

Officials said that meanwhile, most of the companies had postponed resumption of businesses to Feb 10 to lower the risk of further spreading the virus and their employees would enjoy a paid vacation.