Medical teams across the world have been exerting great efforts over the past weeks to deal with the increasing infections of coronavirus.
In the UK, a Walsall Muslim nurse, who has dedicated her life to caring for others, is currently fighting for her own life after contracting coronavirus.
Areema Nasreen is in a critical condition in a Walsall hospital where she has worked for the past 16 years.
The mother-of-three developed symptoms 10 days ago, starting with body aches, a high temperature and then a cough.
Two days ago, tests revealed she was positive for the severe respiratory illness.
“My sister, who is an amazing nurse on the front line and who always helps so many, has now caught this virus. She is critically ill in ICU, on a ventilator and fighting for her life,” Areema’s sister Kazeema told Birmingham Live.
“I want everyone to know how dangerous this is. My sister is only 36 and is normally fit and healthy.
“People are not taking this seriously enough. She is young – it is not just the elderly who are at risk.”
Areema, who also lives in Walsall, has been encouraging more people, especially Muslims to get into nursing.
“I would like to think that I can inspire others. I cry every morning because I am so happy that I have finally realized my dream of becoming a nurse.
“I would urge anyone reading this to not give up.”
Areema qualified in January last year, before taking a job as a Staff Nurse on Walsall Manor Hospital’s Acute Medical Unit.
“I am so blessed to have this role and absolutely love it.”
As of March 22, 78,340 people have been tested in the UK, of which 72,657 were confirmed negative and 5,683 were confirmed positive, according to the British government.
281 patients in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have died.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on March 11, the outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic.