Coronavirus: frontline nurse returns to work after recovering from virus

Nikhil Rajendran, from India, contracted Covid-19 after testing hundreds of workers in Abu Dhabi

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  A woman wearing a protective face mask rides her scooter on the streets of Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Employees at Future Tyres Trading in Al Quoz, Dubai. Reem Mohammed / The National

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  Dubai residents enjoy access to Kite Beach in Jumeirah with the Covid-19 precautions in place. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Residents soak in the sunshine at Kite Beach in Jumeirah, Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Dubai's reopened beaches have proved a hot spot for visitors eager for respite from weeks spent indoors. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Cricket net practice returns in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A cricketer disinfects the stumps. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A young cricketer bowls a delivery in a net session. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A woman wearing protective face mask as a preventive measure against the spread of coronavirus boards a bus in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

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  People wearing face masks board a bus in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Safety guidelines are displayed at popular visitor attractions such as Kite Beach in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Safety warnings ensure beach-goers in Dubai remain on guard. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Operators at their desks at Dubai's Covid-19 Command and Control Centre at Mohammed bin Rashid University. AFP

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  Operators at their desks at Dubai's Covid-19 Command and Control Centre at Mohammed bin Rashid University. AFP

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  Emiratis with their protective masks at Mohammed bin Rashid University in Dubai. AFP

A frontline nurse in the UAE has returned to work to continue testing hundreds of residents just days after recovering from coronavirus.

Nikhil Rajendran, 30, began screening workers across Abu Dhabi in March as part of a government drive to diagnose infections and reduce Covid-19’s spread.

After six weeks of taking hundreds of swabs, the healthcare worker began to feel ill himself and recognised he may have contracted the virus too.

A test soon confirmed his worst fears and he was forced to self-isolate, but more than a month later he is back at work doing the job he loves.

“When the virus was diagnosed, I could feel the pain of being a patient as well as the stress of being a healthcare worker in this situation,” said Mr Rajendran.

I have felt an urge to support my colleagues and patients with the virus since this started.

“I had severe pain across my body, a fever, cough and sore throat. I was sure it was Covid-19 as I had seen so many people with the same symptoms.

“The doctor tested me as soon as he knew. I was not afraid after he reassured me, so I asked when I could go back to work to continue my service.”

Mr Rajendran, from India, has lived and worked in the UAE since March 2018.

He described wanting to become a nurse after witnessing an horrific bus crash as a 16-year-old near his home in Kerala.

The experience stuck with the teenager and later inspired him to enter the medical profession – a decision he has never regretted.

He usually works at Bareen International Hospital in Abu Dhabi, but the Covid-19 pandemic has got him travelling across the city to assist with testing.

"At first I was worried about going into these areas," he told The National.

“But I thought if I can show the workers my positive attitude and that I am not afraid, then they will also have no fear.

“When I received each patient I tried to talk to them to reduce their stress and explain what was happening.

Nikhil Rajendran with his PPE at Bareen Hospital. Pawan Singh / The National

“I explained what Covid-19 was and tried to keep them calm before I tested them.

“We can’t always assume everyone knows what is happening. I have felt an urge to support my colleagues and patients with the virus since this started.”

Mr Rajendran began to feel unwell on April 23 and underwent a swab test. Two days later he was detected Covid-19 positive and asked to quarantine.

The unmarried man, who lives in Mussaffah, informed only his father of the diagnosis to avoid panic spreading among rest of the family members.

“My father is my best friend. I knew I could trust him and his words would reassure me,” he said.

“He told me to stay calm and not be afraid. I knew I had to be strong and it helped me believe I would be OK.

“Now I’m back at work, I want to show other people they have nothing to fear and can recover as I have.

Mr Rajendran believes nurses can help in creating awareness about the pandemic among working-class population.

"Nursing is so important to me. When I visit the [worker] camps it is important the workers know the value of hand washing and improving their hygiene.

“I tell them the importance of wearing a face mask too.”

Dr Jasem Alhashmi, head of Dubai Hospital’s cardiology department, said healthcare workers were more likely to pick up the virus.

In an online blog published in the Dubai Medical Journal, Dr Alhashmi recorded his experiences working alongside testing staff inside the Warsan Covid-19 isolation and quarantine centre in Dubai.

“The risk of transmission between healthcare providers and patients is higher for those seeing and testing the patients for the first time, compared to those following up the patients in the Covid wards,” he said.

“None of the Covid ward team have been tested positive so far, but a high number of medical doctors have tested positive because they were the first to get exposed to the patients.

“This is a sign for the vastly difficult working conditions for healthcare workers."