The fifth batch of National TCM Medical Team from Jiangsu Province left Nanjing for Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Hubei Province, on February 21 to help treat patients of novel coronavirus pneumonia at Jiangxia Fangcang Hospital.

Fangcang means a field hospital with a square cabin, which is a modular health unit with emergency treatment, surgical treatment, clinical testing and other facilities.

Organized by Jiangsu Health Committee, Jiangsu Hospital of TCM sent 10 physicians, one specialist of hospital infection management and 20 nurses to form the team on the evening of February 19. This team is also the ninth batch of medical professionals Jiangsu has sent to epidemic-hit Hubei.

Jiangsu made the move following a request by a leading group for COVID-19 prevention and control under the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It will also include medics from Tianjin, Henan, Hunan, Shaanxi and other regions.

This new team means Jiangxia Fangcang Hospital can add 400 beds more to treat patients infected by the virus.

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