But "mixed messages" from the federal and state governments about the deadly novel coronavirus caused much confusion for schools and parents alike.

Labor Shadow Minister for Health Ryan Park called on the Berejiklian Government to end the novel coronavirus confusion about whether parents should send their children to school or keep them at home.

The Keira MP's call came after the state government advised children who recently visited China to delay their return to school.

Parents in NSW have been asked to keep their kids at home if their children have been in China within the past 14 days.

The state government announced the decision on Tuesday evening as parents prepared for their children to return to school on Wednesday.

"Ideally we would have liked to have been in a position to have made this decision earlier. It is a very difficult decision," Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan chastised schools giving parents the "wrong" advice about the deadly coronavirus and suggesting students stay home.

Keira MP Ryan Park said these mixed messages were a concern for the community.

"That is not what we want between state and federal governments," he said.

"What we need and what the community expects when we've got an emerging public health crisis is consistent information, accurate information and timely information.

"We haven't got that when we are seeing announcements made the evening before thousands of kids go back to school."

Mr Hazzard and Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said although the risk to children is very low, the NSW Government has taken this step as a precautionary measure.

Ms Mitchell said the Department of Education has issued guidance to schools and childcare services across NSW on protocols in the event of a child becoming sick.

Read more: The Wuhan coronavirus is now in Australia - here's what you need to know

NSW Health on Wednesday morning said six potential coronavirus cases are still being assessed and that the situation is "continually evolving".

Mr Park said he got assurances from NSW's Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant, that the Illawarra was equipped to deal with the coronavirus.

"She gave me an assurance that [Illawarra and Shoalhaven] hospitals are equipped," he said.

"I'll continue to monitor and be checking in on hospitals and staff. If it does become an issue, we need to know about it, and if that is the case and more resources are needed, then I'd expect that would flow quickly."

Absolutely it is a concern worldwide. It is a virus that causes deaths: Associate Professor Spiros Miyakis

Spiros Miyakis, Wollongong Hospital's head of Infectious Diseases, argues it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the potentially deadly novel coronavirus.

That's why the Associate Professor at University of Wollongong's School of Medicine has urged people to seek medical attention urgently if they have any concerns.

"If they have visited the Hubei province of China in the last two weeks and if they show respiratory symptoms, in other words fever, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, feeling unwell.....they are very suspicious to have the virus," Professor Miyakis said.

'They should seek medical attention urgently.

"Another good suggestion to anybody feeling unwell is to put on a mask to protect their environment and their loved ones."

Prof Miyakis said not enough was known about the new epidemic virus that has emerged from China.

At time of publication, reports revealed that over 130 people had died from the coronavirus, with 4500 people infected worldwide.

"Absolutely it is a concern worldwide, there's no question. It's a virus that causes deaths," Prof Miyakis said.

"We do not know much yet about how it travels, transmitted and how quickly it causes disease and to whom it is going to cause deadly disease and to it is not going to cause deadly disease.

"As it stands we say Hubei province but if you asked me last week we would be talking about the Wuhun city only. But that may change again, that may become the whole of China, we do not know yet."

Read more: Students at Southern Highlands school in isolation amid coronavirus concerns

Meantime, UOW which has international campuses spanning Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Dubai and partner institutions around the world, is closely "monitoring the coronavirus outbreak".

UOW has provided new and returning students with the latest information and advice from health authorities and offer assistance and support.

It is also making alternative arrangements for Chinese students who are unable to commence their studies because of this outbreak and associated travel restrictions.