Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed the importance of protecting medical personnel to make sure they are healthy and focused on winning the battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Noting that medical workers are the backbone of the fight against the epidemic, Xi stressed the importance of protecting and caring for them and providing support for them from all aspects.

The president called for scientific and logistical support for medical teams in Hubei Province and Wuhan City to ensure they can conduct their work timely and effectively.

He appreciated the devotion of medical workers fighting at the front line since the onset of the outbreak, saying that he has instructed the governments at all levels to solve any problems and difficulties they face during their work.

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Xi made the remarks while giving instructions on protecting the medical workers taking part in the COVID-19 prevention and control.

According to the National Health Commission, more than 30,000 medical workers from 29 provinces and military organizations have been dispatched to the region. A total of 1,716 Chinese medical workers had been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus by February 11, among them six had succumbed to the disease.