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ER nurse spreads hope after 8 months on the frontlines

Posted at 4:54 PM, Nov 20, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-20 21:30:20-05

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – Coronavirus hospitalizations in San Diego County have doubled in the past two weeks. As cases continue to soar through the country many hospitals are being pushed to their limits.

Nurses at Paradise Valley Hospital have seen some of the worst cases of COVID-19. In a new series of PSA videos, frontline workers like Rochielle Jocson are urging everyone to keep fighting.

Jocson spends the night shift in the Emergency Room and Intensive Care Unit treating patients who are struggling to survive.

“I get scared honestly,” said Jocson. “I don’t want to bring it home to my family.”

For the past eight months, she’s suppressed exhaustion and conquered fear.

“Sometimes it’s just not within your hands and you cry it out,” said Jocson. “Let it all out, take a deep breath and do it another day.”

But the situation is only getting worse.

In a press conference Thursday, Supervisor Nathan Fletcher says the number of COVID-related hospitalizations have doubled in the county over the last two weeks. County hospital beds are now inching towards 80% capacity.

Jocson says they’re fully staffed and have enough supplies at Paradise Valley for now, but she knows the virus is unpredictable.

“Resources are limited. We don’t know when the supplies are going to last,” said Jocson.

She lives through the wrath of COVID every day and knows some people still aren’t listening to the warnings.

“It’s heartbreaking to just see people not follow safety precautions,” said Jocson. “It’s like a punch in the gut so-to-speak to us healthcare workers.”

She’s hoping to change that with a simple message.

“You may be okay but the next person that you’re giving it to, will they be okay?” said Jocson.

While the road ahead will still be long, there’s nowhere else she would rather be.

“That’s why we keep going when at times we want to give up,” said Jocson. “Because you have that one patient that makes it worth it.”

Paradise Valley Hospital tells ABC 10News their ICU is still under capacity. They have ventilators on reserve just in case.