The fourth group of 26 medical workers from Yantai, eastern China's Shandong province left for central Hubei province on Feb 9 to lend a hand in the fight against the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic, local media reported.

The group includes 8 physicians and 18 nurses, all of whom have significant experience in the prevention, control and treatment of infectious diseases.

The team departed from Jinan along with other medical professionals from around Shandong province.

Twenty medical professionals from the city have already joined in the fight in Hubei, the outbreak first reported.

The fourth batch of 26 medical workers pose for a photo at the railway station in Yantai, eastern China's Shandong province. [Photo/dzwww.com]

A staff member at Moping Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital sends flowers to his colleague Sun Yuanyaun (R), who left for Hubei on Feb 9. [Photo/dzwww.com]

Medical staff in the team cut their hair before leaving on Feb 9, making it easier to treat patients. [Photo/dzwww.com]