Staff members from the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University send flowers to their colleagues who leave for Wuhan on Feb 2. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

A medical team consisting of seven doctors and nurses from the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University on Feb 2 left for Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei province and the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, hospital officials said.

They said the first medical team that left from Nantong  joined the front line in Wuhan to combat the spreading disease on Jan 25, the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Medical workers from the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University have their hair cut before leaving for Wuhan, in order to avoid cross-infection and save time when wearing and taking off protective suits. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

The team consisted of 35 staff members from seven third-class hospitals -- including Nantong No 1 People's Hospital, Nantong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nantong Tumor Hospital, as well as people's hospitals in Tongzhou district and Haimen, Rugao, Hai'an cities.

The medical workers, with the youngest aged 26, specialize in such areas as respiratory and infectious diseases, officials said.