Staff members salute the cured coronavirus patients who have finished a 14-day quarantine for medical observation at a rehabilitation center in Wuhan on March 10, 2020. (Xinhua/Xiong Qi)
CONTINUED EFFORTS
As nurse Yang Xiaoyan finished her last six-hour shift in the Jianghan temporary hospital, which was converted from an international exhibition center, she took many pictures with her colleagues at the public square outside the building.
Before the last batch of patients was discharged, she sang songs with them and encouraged them to keep positive in the quarantine sites.
"We've achieved a victory in this phase, and all the hard work has been worth it!" said Yang, who has been working in the hospital for more than 20 days.
Mi Feng, a spokesperson with the National Health Commission, said at a press conference Tuesday that the epidemic situation continues to improve, noting that no new confirmed cases were reported in other cities in Hubei for five consecutive days.
As of Monday, China had sent 346 medical teams with 42,600 medical staff from across the country to Hubei, according to the National Health Commission.
"We will never forget the joy and excitement that patients have shown when they are discharged from the hospital," said Zhao Song, a medical worker at the Jianghan hospital.
Zhao said there is still more to do after the closure of the hospital, and he looks forward to the day when the virus subsides and everyone can take off their masks.
Nie Bin, a psychological counselor in one of the medical teams, said they are still facing a heavy workload, as they need to keep track of the discharged patients for their mental health.
"Psychological trauma often appears after an epidemic, and there can be a long incubation period," Nie said. "We'll continue to offer psychological counseling and support to citizens and medical workers."
