Over 50 social workers died during the epidemic while fulfilling their duties, RIA Novosti reported referring to a spokesman for the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

As of March 8, 53 social workers had already died in cities and villages throughout the country on duty during the epidemic, the spokesman told reporters.

According to him, 92.5% of them were members of the Chinese Communist Party.

Social workers are usually employees of house committees who provide basic social services to residential areas.

According to the latest data, the coronavirus death toll has reached 3,119 in China.