LOS ANGELES, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- A group of Chinese community representatives here showed their support for China's battle against the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) on Sunday night by holding a donation and a public health lecture on how to stay healthy during the epidemic.

John Kennedy, former vice mayor and a current councilman of Pasadena City, lauded the Chinese government's efforts to fight against the COVID-19 at the high-profile fundraising gala, which is also 28th annual gala of the Beijing Association USA, a local Chinese American group founded in 1992.

"This virus is not so easily contained, but the People's Republic of China is working diligently internally and with governments around the world to help protect not just the Chinese people but everyone around the world. I think China has done a good job with their quarantine operations," Kennedy said.

He said that the quarantine will have a negative impact on China's economy, while expressing the hope that the United States would have the empathy to do all that it can do to help China during the crisis, so the Chinese people can "live and fulfill their biggest potential in business, education and commerce, and support their young people."

Pasadena City, 18 km northeast of downtown Los Angeles, is one of the primary cultural centers of the San Gabriel Valley, where eight of the 10 cities in the United States with the largest proportion of Chinese Americans are located.

Dr. Zhang ZuoFeng, dean of the UCLA's School of Public Health, was invited to the gala to present accurate and up-to-date information on the COVID-19.

"An old Chinese saying is that the very best doctors treat patients early before they have a disease," Zhang told Xinhua.

"Now, the Chinese government's measures, especially the quarantine, has really reduced the risk of spreading the COVID-19 from Wuhan to the Unites States and globally," he said, adding "It's still a very early phase, so we don't know everything yet about this disease, but the case mortality rate at about 2.2 percent -- much lower than SARS and MERS."

U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu attended the event to show support for the Chinese community and make sure that they are not being unfairly isolated by other people fearful of infection.

"The message we give to people is it's so important for us to continue to live our (normal) lives... eat at restaurants, shop at grocery store," said Chu, who was elected from the 27th Congressional district, an area with a high population of Chinese immigrants.

"Be calm and work together," she said.