A New Zealand healthcare worker describes the unique stress of waiting for waves of coronavirus cases to hit when so far they haven't

Phil Walter/Getty

• New Zealand has eased its coronavirus lockdown to "Alert Level 3" after a successful month combating the coronavirus, with new cases now consistently in the single digits.
• But Auckland City Hospital intensive care specialist Chris Poynter told Business Insider that some in his sector are dealing with survivors' guilt, as well the stress of waiting for a "wave of patients" that may or may not come.
• He said: "About a month and a half or two months ago, it was like watching the tide going out before a tsunami comes. We wondered when we were going to get hit by a wave of patients — like Italy and Spain and Iran — and then our government responded. And nothing really happened."
• He said no one had forgotten how fortunate people were in New Zealand: "We are all very aware of how lucky we are, and we connect with colleagues overseas and really feel for them." 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories

New Zealand has eased its lockdown after a month of stringent measures leading to low daily cases and few deaths from COVID-19. But one healthcare worker says the waiting game has taken its toll.

On April 27, New Zealand eased its nationwide lockdown. For the first time in a month, New Zealanders could buy takeaways, or visit relatives. As of April 30, it had 1,476 cases with 19 deaths according to data from Johns Hopkins University. With the low death count and new daily cases remaining in the single digits, New Zealand's lockdown is considered a success compared to many other nations.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

NOW WATCH: Tax Day is now July 15 — this is what it's like to do your own taxes for the very first time

See Also:

• A Detroit healthcare worker died after reportedly being denied coronavirus testing 4 times from the hospital she worked at for 31 years
• How studies on everything from monkeys and ferrets to mice, cats, and dogs are helping researchers in the fight against the coronavirus crisis
• 1 in 5 doctors has been furloughed or taken a pay cut as the coronavirus pandemic hits hospitals. Some say they're considering new jobs.

SEE ALSO: The Washington Post says New Zealand is 'squashing' its coronavirus curve. An expert agrees but says the elimination policy could still fail.

from Business Insider https://ift.tt/2YkfYLm