An NHS nurse who loaded dozens of dead and infectious bodies into fridges in a car park has revealed the horrifying reality of life on the front line of the coronavirus fight.
Sally Goodright and five other staff wore personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, masks and plastic face shields, as they moved corpses at a hospital where the mortuary is full.
They ran out of body bags as the dead continued to arrive from the wards.
Miss Goodright told how she became emotional when she noticed the names of patients she has cared for and loved ones of people she knows.
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The nurse described distressing scenes at West Middlesex University Hospital in Isleworth, west London, in a Facebook post that has been shared thousands of times.
She shared photos showing herself wearing PPE, including a face mask and shield, hairnet or mob cap, gloves and apron.
She hailed the work of exhausted NHS staff, and hit out at people who are ignoring the Covid-19 lockdown and social distancing rules and told how she is desperate to "go back to my old life".
Miss Goodright urged people to "do the right thing" and stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus, save lives and ease pressure on overwhelmed healthcare workers.
In her post, she wrote: "After the morning delivering urgent care to diabetic patients I was asked to join a team to help out the staff in the mortuary at West Mid Hospital.
"The staff are so overwhelmed with deaths that they can't cope. 2 large fridges have been placed in the carpark because the mortuary is full.
"So along with 2 Podiatric Surgeons, a Podiatric Professor, 2 Audiologists and myself we were asked to ferry 40 bodies from the morgue to the fridges.
"The fridges are situated the other side of the hospital so we had to work in pairs to get the heavy, bulky trolleys across.
"All of the dead were still infectious so full PPE was needed, it was hot and sweaty but being fully aware of how important the PPE is we had to persevere for hours on end.
"It all got particularly upsetting when I saw names of patients I treat on a regular basis and names of peoples loved ones that I was unaware had died."
She added: "We ran out of body bags but still the dead were arriving from the wards.
"Everyone is doing such a fantastic job and really working as a team from surgeons, porters, cleaners and the brilliant crew that are making sure the fridges are in situ and in full working order."
Miss Goodright urged people to comply with the lockdown and social distancing rules.
She wrote: "This morning I saw families setting up equipment for circuit training on Twickenham Green and on my way home I saw families in Radnor Gardens setting up badminton nets and others playing football.
"What part of STAY AT HOME. SAVE LIVES do these people not understand? This really isn't essential exercise.
"Pop on a Joe Wicks workout and stay indoors.
"Us in the NHS are tired and I get that staying in is grim but it's so very important.
"Please, please stay at home. I want to go back to my old life.
"I miss my patients who don't need urgent care but have to stay indoors.
"I miss visiting my housebound patients that need routine care as we're only delivering urgent care for the foreseeable.
"DO THE RIGHT THING!"
Readers hailed Miss Goodright and fellow NHS heroes.
One Facebook user wrote: "You guys are amazing so strong. I dont know where you all get the mental strength & energy from. You are all heroes thank you."
Another added: "Thank you for everything you are doing at this difficult and dangerous time. God bless you and your colleagues. Take care. Stay safe."
And a third wrote: "Can't thank you enough for all that you and your work colleagues do for us and your family for letting you go out every day to do this job."
The Queen, meanwhile, has issued a message to healthcare workers to mark World Health Day.
She said in a statement: "On the occasion of World Health Day, I want to thank all those in the healthcare profession for your selfless commitment and diligence as you undertake vitally important roles to protect and improve the health and well-being of people across the Commonwealth, and across the world.
"In testing times, we often observe that the best of the human spirit comes to the fore; the dedication to service of countless nurses, midwives and other health workers, in these most challenging of circumstances, is an example to us all.
"My family and I send our enduring appreciation and good wishes."
