'코로나 최전선' 투입 신임 간호장교 복귀…"감동과 희망 선사"<br /><br />It has been 52 days since South Korea's hardest-hit city Daegu saw its first case of COVID-19.<br />Over the last two months, the city saw a daily peak of 741 new infections to zero today. Through the city's thick and thin... on the front lines battling the coronavirus are the nation's healthcare workers.<br />And, today, 75 of the nation's heroes who took a leading role in Daegu finished their duty.<br />Kim Sungmin reports.<br />From a peak of 741 confirmed cases in one day... right until the first day without a single case.<br />In the battle against COVID-19 in Daegu, 75 newly-commissioned nursing officers have been heroically fighting on the frontline.<br />And today, the 60th graduating class of the Korea Armed Forces Nursing Academy have successfully finished their five weeks of duty and returned home.<br />"It was such a huge pleasure to carry out this duty and be able to devote myself to the country and the military."<br />During the 5 weeks, the officers were assigned to Korea's Armed Forces Daegu Hospital to provide medical support... after the region saw a rapid spread of the virus.<br />It was unusual for the officers to be thrown into actual work right after graduation, but their efforts were applauded by the public.<br />Working day and night in three shifts, they took charge of dealing with mild cases, giving guidance to patients about taking medicine and keeping good hygiene.<br />After their duty ended, all the 75 officers tested negative for COVID-19 and will continue with the next step in their careers after two weeks of self-quarantine.<br />During the appreciation ceremony for the nurses on Thursday, Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo sent his gratitude through a video clip.<br />He said he is proud of them for answering the call and putting themselves on the frontline to fight the unprecedented threat of COVID-19.<br />While the 75 nursing officers have returned home, around 300 personnel from the army medical forces will stay at the hospital and carry on with their duties.<br />Kim Sung-min, Arirang News<br />
