BEIJING - Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, a hotline set up by the Communist Youth League of China has helped 18,867 children and adolescents in need, China Youth Daily reported Monday.

The 12355 hotline and its namesake online platform have extended their service time amid the epidemic and augmented service providers to help young people solve epidemic-related problems.

The hotline has received 167,163 calls from across the country and deployed 18,099 psychological consultants and social workers to tackle the issues.

A total of 18,867 adolescents who were baffled by the epidemic, or children of medical workers, or themselves infected with the COVID-19 disease, have received assistance.