The tenth group of 123 medical staff from Shandong province left for Huanggang, central Hubei province on Feb 13 to help fight the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak, according to local officials.

The team consisted of 40 doctors and 83 nurses from Shandong's 35 medical institutions. Wang Tao, director of pulmonary and critical care medicine department at Binzhou Medical University Hospital, is the captain of the team.

Local authorities said that the medical personnel all have ample experience in the prevention, control and treatment of infectious diseases and life-threatening illnesses.

The medical team and a batch of medical supplies departed via a chartered plane from Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport.

Liu Jiayi, Party chief of Shandong province, went to the airport to see the team off.

To date, Shandong has sent 1,499 medical workers to assist Hubei in fighting against the virus.

Huanggang, one of the hardest hit cities by the epidemic, is being assisted by Shandong and Hunan provinces in local disease control work.

The new "pairing assistance" program was launched by the National Health Commission. Cities which are severely affected by the epidemic will receive joint assistance from two partners.

A medical team from Shandong province sets out for Hubei province on Feb 13 to help fight the epidemic outbreak. [Photo/dzwww.com]

Liu Jiayi, Party chief of Shandong province, delivers a speech during the send-off at Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport. [Photo/dzwww.com]

An airport staff member at Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport raises his hand in salute to medical personnel departing for Huanggang. [Photo/iqilu.com]

The medical team will assist Huanggang in fighting against the virus. [Photo/iqilu.com]