WE’RE in awe of our NHS frontline. Their selfless, dedicated work during the Covid-19 pandemic has been nothing short of amazing.

But imagine being put under all this relentless pressure with a large number of colleagues off sick - and the chilling possibility some may not return.

Now shocking new figures have revealed that Essex hospitals had an average of more than 1,000 staff absences A DAY as a result of Covid-19.

Board reports on the three mid and south Essex hospitals, Southend, Basildon and Broomfield, show there was an average 295 staff off each day with Covid-related sickness from March to May.

In addition an average of 660 members of staff were absent each day due to having to self-isolate and a further 98 staff were off daily due to having a dependant in isolation.

A spokesman for Mid and South Essex Trust said: “Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the majority of our services were paused which meant many of our staff members were redeployed to different areas across our trust to provide support where needed.”

The figures reveal not only the dangers of infection for staff but also the extreme pressure remaining medics were under.

Some, like nurse Felix Khor, 68, barely survived the battle.

He was released from Southend Hospital 75 days after succumbing to the deadly virus.

He was one of the lucky ones, however. The UK has recorded among the highest number of Covid-19 health worker deaths in the world, with 545 according to a new report by Amnesty International.

They have worked stoically in an environment where many have complained about a lack of personal protective equipment.

Southend and Basildon hospitals have consistently denied any shortage during the pandemic.

However, despite assurances by NHS bosses that staff had adequate access to PPE, the same board papers report “access to PPE consistently has been difficult across Mid and South Essex with difference approaches to how it is used throughout, including ensuring all staff are appropriately trained in its use”.

Since the outbreak, lessons have been learned.

However, the statistics on the death toll have led to calls for changes well ahead of an expected second wave this winter.

A spokesman for Save Southend NHS campaign group said: “Frontline staff both here in Essex and across the country were always going to incur the greatest risks of contracting Covid-19.

“We know from the latest death statistics reported by Amnesty and covered in the national press confirming that we have one of the highest worldwide staff death tolls,

“Public Health England must now review their PPE guidance and increase the level provided to our frontline heroes to fully protect them from transmission whilst they care for others.

“High staff sickness of course places increased burden on our already stretched resources.

“Maybe now the Government will take solid measures to rapidly increase nurses and other healthcare professions, award a pay increase and improve retention.”