Pictures of health

Lu Yong is a staff member on the management team at the Medical Information Department at Wuhan Hankou Hospital. It is one of the three designated hospitals that receive patients infected by the new coronavirus. Only 4 kilometers away from the South China Seafood Wholesale Market, the hospital bears a huge pressure of diagnosis and treatment.

Since Wuhan, capital of Hubei province has been on lockdown in an effort to contain the epidemic outbreak, Lu has been responsible for complicated matters such as the hospital's epidemic information report and packaged meal delivery for medical staff and patients. At intervals, she used her cell phone and camera to capture some of the most precious images of her colleagues fighting the epidemic.

Jan 23

From 10 am on Jan 23, Wuhan was on lockdown due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus. The Wuhan Hankou Hospital, where I work, is listed as one of the city's designated hospitals for dealing with the epidemic. It specializes in treating patients with respiratory symptoms with fever, and patients from other wards have been transferred to other hospitals.

A portion of our hospital staff is assigned to package meals for front line medical staff and patients (free meals for patients). I changed into protective clothing and entered the clinic and the ward fully prepared, taking advantage of meal delivery opportunities, and taking pictures of the fight against the epidemic on my mobile phone.

It was already after 6 pm, and the patients still crowded the outpatient's hall. Medical staff could not attend meals, but instead work calmly among intensive care patients, triage patients, answer consultations, and soothe anxiety.

Jan 24

On Lunar New Year's Eve, more than 30 members of the Wang Zhengyan expert team of Wuhan Hankou Hospital and representatives of the Wang Zhengyan youth volunteer service team, under the leadership of Wang Zhengyan, a national moral role model, solemnly swore: Take the lead, charge ahead and fight against the novel coronavirus on the front line.

Jan 28

When ordering food in the morning, I saw paper-cuts that offer wishes for good luck decorating the windows and doors of the ward. Red lanterns hung in the corridor of the hospital. The rain stopped, and the sun came out.

We were grateful that people from all walks of life sent supplies for our dinner, not to mention fruit, snacks and milk, all of which were urgently needed.

Feb 4

At 8:30 this morning, six ambulances came to our hospital to transfer 26 confirmed patients to Huoshenshan (Fire God Mountain)Hospital.

Our hospital experts had evaluated the condition of each patient. The medical staff helped patients prepare their medical records and personal belongings, and completed their discharge procedures. The hospital also sent doctors to escort the patients to ensure their safety during the referral process.

Feb 6

Wuhan is on lockdown, but love is not. Every day we receive selfless donations from groups and individuals from all corners of the world, and we are filled with warmth and gratitude.

Some donate medical equipment, sterilization and isolation supplies, and some send daily boxed meals for our medical staff and patients, with menu continuously changing for each of the three daily meals.

The 100 oxygen generators donated by the team of the academician, Zhong Nanshan, to our hospital have already been put to good use.

Feb 8

Today is the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the first month in the lunar calendar. There are no dragon dances and no lanterns.

The epidemic situation is still grim. More than 40 colleagues work around the clock, and some have been infected with the new coronavirus. However, our determination and refusal to back down has won the day.

Feb 10

Today, I put on a yellow protective suit donated by the army and went to the clinic and the ward to take some pictures.

The number of patients at the referral clinic was significantly reduced.

The doctors in the office were patient and careful.

There were fewer people in the infusion hall.

The yellow protective suits are very stuffy and we were all sweaty.

Feb 12

The weather is fine today, and my friends are feeling better when they deliver the meals.

After finishing my report at 6 pm today, I find the number of outpatient visits was at a record low, and there were no deaths.

The number of deaths in the hospital was also at a record low, and my colleagues and I could not help but breathe a long sigh of relief. Standing outside the department and watching the setting sun is so comfortable. I couldn't help taking a group photo to celebrate.

The narrative by Lu Yong is translated by Zhang lei.