A TEAM of six medical experts from Shanghai’s Ruijin Hospital left for Wuhan, Hubei Province, yesterday to carry out etiological and diagnostic research on COVID-19 at the heart of the current epidemic.

The team was ordered by the National Health Commission, and its members will study the etiopathological processes of the virus’ origins to provide more scientific data for clinical diagnosis and treatment, as well as support for follow-up research.

After official orders came in on Sunday afternoon to assemble a team, 12 specialists volunteered. The hospital selected six of its most seasoned experts for the mission.

The team will face a different set of risks compared with medical staff treating patients.