Covirus 19 coronavirus: the family of the Kiwi nurse who helped save British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ‘overwhelmed’ by the reaction

The proud family of an Invercargill-born nurse credited by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson for saving her life after receiving Covid-19 says she was just doing her job: “for people to recover and come home “

Jenny McGee’s sister says she is “overwhelmed” by the international response and has been inundated with messages since the British leader thanked her.

But the 35-year-old has more important things to do than focus on praise – she’s back at work helping others fight the deadly virus.

McGee grew up on a farm in Edendale, went to school in Invercargill, and trained as a nurse in Dunedin. She has been living and working in London for some time and works in the intensive care department of St Thomas Hospital in the city.

Last night Johnson, who has been in the hospital for a week treating Covid-19, thanked the National Health Service and its staff, but singled out two nurses who stood by his bed for 48 hours “when things could have been gone either way. ” .

The 55-year-old man said that Jenny from Invercargill “to be exact,” and Luis from Portugal, were the reason that “in the end, my body started getting enough oxygen.”

“Because for every second of the night they observed and thought, cared for and carried out the interventions they needed.

“This is how I also know that in this country, 24 hours a day, for every second of every hour, there are hundreds of thousands of NHS employees who act with the same care, thought and precision as Jenny and Luis.”

Johnson was admitted to St Thomas’s on April 5 and transferred to intensive care the following day. He was released this morning (Sunday, UK time).

During today’s health briefing, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern mentioned McGee’s efforts and said she had sent him a message via Facebook.

McGee has declined interviews at this stage.

PROUD PARENTS AND BROTHER

McGee’s parents know that the care their daughter gave Johnson would be the same as she would give to anyone in the intensive care unit.

His father, Mike, told the Otago Daily Times this morning that he and his wife Caroline were extremely proud of their daughter who has worked at St. Thomas for the past eight years.

“She would give the same level of care to whoever is in that bed needing attention and that we are so proud of.”

“She says, ‘My job is to improve people and get them to come home,’ and she does her best. ‘

McGee had called at 5 am today to tell her parents that there were media at her door that they wanted to speak to her, however, she was now back at the hospital working in the ICU on a night shift.

Her brother Bobby McGee spoke to Herald about his work today.

He said he and his parents were surprised by Johnson’s personal thanks and international attention.

“We are all very proud of Jen, not only for the support she gave Boris, but for what she has been doing to help ordinary people,” said Bobby McGee, who is currently abroad.

“We talked to her this morning in the UK at night, and she was about to go on another night shift. She just saw it as another day and kept saying she was just doing her job.”

“While impressed by Boris’ recognition, she is very pleased to see public recognition for the incredible work the NHS is doing, which made her feel really proud.”

Boris Johnson had been in the hospital for a week and spent three nights in the intensive care unit. He is the first confirmed world leader to have the virus.

His symptoms, which include cough and fever, were initially described as mild, and he worked from home during the first days of self-isolation. But he was admitted to St Thomas’ on April 5 after his condition worsened.

He was transferred the following day to the intensive care unit, where he received oxygen but was not put on a ventilator. Johnson spent three nights in the ICU before returning to a regular hospital ward.

Johnson’s office said in a statement last night that it would continue its recovery at Checkers, the Prime Minister’s country house.

“On the advice of his medical team, the Prime Minister will not immediately return to work. He wishes to thank everyone at St Thomas’ for the brilliant attention he has received.”

Her pregnant partner, Carrie Symonds, said in a series of tweets that “she can’t thank our great NHS enough” and that she “can never, never pay, and I will never stop thanking her.”

Symonds admitted that “there were moments last week that were very dark.”

“My heart goes out to all those in similar situations, concerned about their loved ones.”

On Sunday (local time), the UK became the fourth European country to top 10,000 virus-related deaths. Britain has been in an effective blockade since March 23 and the government will extend the restrictions later this week.

– ODT and Herald