(CNN) -- Cases of the novel coronavirus continue to climb around the world.
Health officials say more than 45,000 people have contracted the disease and more than 1,100 have died.
On Capitol Hill, current and former officials expressed concern during a Senate hearing about U.S. preparedness, citing potential backlogs of medicine and supplies manufactured internationally.
"This is a deeply concerning event, the novel coronavirus, we don't understand its true severity at this point," said Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
"The healthcare system is not ready for the care of sick patients, so we have neglected our healthcare system preparedness," said Dr. Luciana Borio, former director for Medical and Biodefense Preparedness.
U.S. officials are trying to contain a potential outbreak.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has screened more than 30,000 people traveling from China at 11 U.S. airports.
Officials are asking those entering the U.S.. from China to stay home and self-monitor symptoms for two weeks.
Thirteen people in six states have tested positive for the virus, though none of the cases in the U.S. have been fatal.
"We are very alert. I don't think we are alarmed at this point, but we need to be leaning into what will the next step be if we can't contain it," said Dr. Julie Gerberding, former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In Wednesday's hearing, officials also warned too much focus on coronavirus may undermine efforts oriented toward more routine, but still dangerous, illnesses.
"We need to prepare for and respond to the coronavirus, but we also must continue to prepare for other public health threats," said Nikki Clowers, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
