Wisconsin family stuck in Wuhan, China amid coronavirus outbreak

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- A Wisconsin family in China is desperately trying to get back home in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.

The virus has killed more than 100 people, and thousands are infected.

The State Department is evacuating government officials and other Americans out of Wuhan. They chartered a plane for them, but there isn't enough space for everyone.

Sam Roth of Neenah hoped his wife and two young daughters would be on that flight. They flew to China last week for the Lunar New Year. 

In an interview with CBS, Roth says he's doing everything he can to help them get back home, but access to Wuhan was cut off to prevent the virus from spreading. The chartered plane took off from China Tuesday, Jan. 28.

According to the U.S. Embassy in China, capacity is extremely limited and priority will be given to people at greater risk.

"I'm trying to make the case...we've got a 10-month-old, we've got a 5-year-old," Roth said. "They're susceptible."

The flight will stop in Alaska, where people on board will be screened for the virus. It will then land in Ontario, California.