The National Health Commission on Friday expressed deep condolences over the death of Li Wenliang and called for joint efforts nationwide to fight the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Li, 34, passed away at the Central Hospital of Wuhan, Hubei province, at 2:58 am on Friday for the novel coronavirus-caused pneumonia despite of medical efforts.

In a release on its official account on WeChat, a popular social platform, the commission said medical workers, regardless of personal safety, have been bravely fighting the virus at the frontline since the outbreak of the epidemic, and they have made great contributions to protecting the safety of the public.

"We show great respect for them", the commission said. It also extended sympathy for Li's family.

Now, the nation still faces a grim situation in the disease prevention and control, which requires the entire society to better care for medical workers and unite as one to overcome the difficulties, it said.