BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- A total of 28,000 female medical workers have been sent to the central Chinese province of Hubei including its capital Wuhan to help battle the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to date, accounting for two-thirds of the total number, a Chinese health official said Sunday.

Up to now, China has sent 346 medical teams with 42,600 medical staff to Hubei, including 19,000 intensive care medical staff and medical personnel specializing in respiratory, infectious and psychological illnesses, among other fields, Guo Yanhong, an official with the National Health Commission, said at a press conference in Beijing.

She noted that a team of academicians from across the country have also been sent to carry out consultations for severe and critical patients.

"Frontline female medics have played a vital role in treating COVID-19 patients," Guo said.