BEIJING, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Over two-thirds of patients infected with the novel coronavirus in Hubei Province, the epicenter of the viral outbreak, have received traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment, an official with the National Health Commission (NHC) said Friday.

Many TCM theories can be used for reference in the diagnosis and treatment of the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), said Zeng Yixin, deputy director of the NHC, at a press conference.

The National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and over 630 TCM hospitals across the country have dispatched nearly 3,200 medical workers to support Hubei, Zeng said.

TCM and Western medicine experts have been improving their coordination mechanisms and implementing joint consultations to improve the treatment effect for COVID-19, according to Zeng.  ■