Chinese doctor, 29, dies of a stroke 35 days in a row after battling coronavirus on the front line
Dr Dong Tian worked day and night for more than a month when coronavirus was at its peak in Wuhan, before he was rushed to hospital on March 3.
The 29-year-old anaesthetist was pronounced dead at a hospital in Hubei on Saturday morning after being treated in the Intensive Care Unit for 19 days.
He died a week before his 30th birthday, leaving behind his wife and his sick father.
Dr. Dong had been caring for his sick father but volunteered to go back to work at the end of January, when the coronavirus outbreak engulfed the province of Hubei, its former epicenter.
A recording shows a memorial service happening in the medic’s hometown, Dangyang in Hubei Province. People can be seen carrying a banner that reads’ welcome home to the anti-coronavirus fighter, Dong Tian.’
He was hospitalized on February 29 and placed in isolation as he developed a sudden headache and was even unable to speak when in quarantine.
The hospital where he was operating, the Zhijiang People’s Hospital, confirmed his death on March 21.
“Comrade Dong Tian was productive and efficient in his work,” The hospital management said.
“He admired the members and was kind to his colleagues.” His medical college said he was an excellent example of the “millennial doctors.”
They further said, “He used his profession as a doctor to demonstrate his benevolence and affection,” the college said.
“He lost his youth and his passion for his medical career.”
With China posting on Friday for a second time in a row zero domestic incidents, 3675 medical staff from across China were able to return to their hometowns.
Statistics suggest that infected travelers to China have dispersed to more and more regions, putting pressure to tighten entrance laws and safety procedures on authorities.
In the meantime, nearly 350,000 cases were reported worldwide, and the death rate rose to 15,286. In the UK, 5,702 people were sick, and 282 died.
Utilizing Public health data from 3.8 m people in England, the researchers measured the number of victims of the outbreak-taking into consideration those who may have died otherwise and the current steps taken by the government.
Researchers find that people who are likely to risk their lives are between 35,000 and 70,000 in figures which is enough to worry about.