Medical staff busy tending a patient wheeled into the emergency ward [Photo by Jiang Xinheng]

Lin Xiuqin, a nurse who sticks to her post despite being down with Covid, helps a patient with a medical instrument [Photo by Jiang Xinheng]

At 9 am on January 1, over a dozen patients were waiting in line outside the emergency room of the Pingtan branch of Fujian Medical University Union Hospital.

"We have a newly transferred patient who is on oxygen. Anyone available to take care of this patient?"

"Hurry up, contact a nursing staff to run some examinations for the patient at bed No.5."

“Please hang on. The doctor will be here soon. Let’s get you to your bed first.”

At the local hospital, medics were trying their best to maintain close communication with specialists while carrying out emergency treatment for the patients. Nurse Liuqin bumped into an old lady who was trying to make her way into the emergency ward. The nurse quickly went up to ask about the patient's condition and arranged a bed for her. Getting and making the bed, prepping the medical supplies, and getting the lady to lie down...After going back and forth to help the patient settle down, the old lady finally felt better. Afterward, the nurse went to her workstation to fill out the patient's details. It is hard to imagine that such a petite lady gets all the energy! Three days ago, Liu was down with Covid. Even today, she has not fully recovered from the virus.

A blue isolation gown, a green N95 mask, and a transparent faceshield are the daily protection of medical staff at the emergency room. "I was very sick initially with symptoms like high fever, nausea, and dizziness. I felt better on the third day and rejoined the team," said Lin.

Lin is not a single case. Recently, the emergency and fever departments have been running at high intensity. Lots of medical staff have caught the virus. Due to insufficient manpower, many had to return to their post after resting for only two days to clear the backlog. Some even came back to support the midnight shift when the service crew was overwhelmed.  

These three days’ stats have shown declining number of admissions in the fever department. The emergency department is under strain. Overall, the hospital was short-handed. “In light of it, the hospital advocated that those with severe symptoms stay at home and rest. Asymptomatic and mild symptom staff remain in post. Everyone is supportive. As long as they felt better, they came back,” said Chen Fengping, deputy head of the Medical Affairs Department of Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone Hospital.

Winter is the high season of respiratory diseases. Plus Covid, it’s undoubtedly an ordeal for medical staff. 

“At present, the Respiratory Medicine Department only receives severe patients. We set up another ward for patients with pneumonia and “white lung.” We have 4 front-line doctors in our department. One got infected and rested at home. Colleagues from other related departments came to help,” said Qiu Zhenning, deputy chief physician of the Respiratory Department of the Pingtan branch of Fujian Medical University Union Hospital.

The hospital adheres to the principle of “leaving not a single patient behind.” “The hospital is our battlefield. We have been here for three years. Since our colleagues have been insisting on performing duties. I can’t rest at home,” said Lin Xiuqin, who is an example of the many countless medical workers who are bracing for the hardships for the society.

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