A female doctor at a Wuhan hospital who became infected with the COVID-19 virus at her job passed away on Sunday.

(Photos provided to guancha.cn)

Xia Sisi was a gastroenterology physician working at the Union Jiangbei Hospital in Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak. On January 15, Xia had just got off her night shift, but after learning that some abnormalities were found in a senior patient’s lung CT test result, she went back to the hospital right away to help treat the patient. 

The patient’s condition concerned Xia and she offered to stay in the ward in the following days. Unfortunately, she became infected with COVID-19 even though she put on the protective gear at her job.

Xia was hospitalized on January 19 and later transferred to Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University on February 7 after her condition worsened.

Despite doctors' all-out efforts to save her life, Xia passed away on Sunday morning.

“She was doing OK at first,” Wu Shilei, Xia’s husband and also a doctor, told Chutian Metropolis Daily. “We even planned to go to the frontline together after she had completely recovered.”

Xia and Wu have a two-year-old son. To keep their son from worrying about his mom’s illness, the whole family made up a lie that his mom was busy with her job while Xia was under treatment. During this time, her son would ask if it was his mother every time he heard the mobile phone ring.

Now, Wu said he doesn’t know how to explain the tragedy to the child.

Xia’s father wrote in a social media post, “My dear daughter Sisi, today at 6:50 am, you left your adorable two-year-old son, your affectionate husband, your parents, the job you love and the patients who trust you forever. Farewell, my child. May there be no pains and worries in heaven. We will always love you and miss you. -- Dad”

The Union Jiangbei Hospital mourned the death of Xia and expressed condolences for her family.

Chinese health authorities have required local health agencies to promptly apply to veteran's affairs authorities for the honor of martyr for deceased medical staff. Local health agencies have also been told to comfort the families of the deceased and help solve their difficulties.

(Compiled by Li Bowen)