BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- A total of 12,000 medical staff supporting virus-hit Hubei Province have started to depart the province since Tuesday as the epidemic situation has been greatly eased, said China's health authorities on Friday.

The departing medics are mainly those working in makeshift hospitals and designated hospitals for non-severe cases, said Guo Yanhong, an official with the National Health Commission at a press conference.

The experts and medical teams treating severe cases are still working in Hubei and will stay until all the medical missions are completed, said Guo.

Provinces and cities have devised detailed plans to welcome the medics home, the official said.

The medical staff will take a well-earned rest during isolation after they return and receive close medical observation, Guo added.