Medical workers who took part in the COVID-19 fight in Hubei Province returned to their families on Tuesday after being discharged from a two-week quarantine.

  The 758 medical workers are from the first and ninth Shanghai medical teams, the second nursery team, the fourth traditional Chinese medicine team as well as medics from the city’s Huashan, Zhongshan and Ruijin hospitals.

  After working in the hard-hit province for more than two months, they flew back to the city on March 31.

  They have made huge efforts in fighting on the front line, including being the first to perform autopsies on confirmed cases, and the first to share their high-quality clinical research experience.

  The medical heroes have been warmly welcomed at their hospitals and rejoiced with their loved ones after they received their discharge notices.

  At Ruijin Hospital, a ceremony was held to salute the 141 members from the first and fourth batches of medical teams sent to Hubei.

  “We are very grateful for the support from the public and society during the hardest time. In this tough battle involving the whole nation, everybody is a fighter. These brave workers are the true heroes of our country,” said Ning Guang, dean of Ruijin Hospital.

  Dr Xue Kai, from Ruijin Hospital’s hematology department, said he was eager to see his newborn baby, who was delivered while he was serving in Wuhan.

  “My daughter was born on February 14. I feel sorry I was not there,” Xue said. “I want to rush to my wife and my newborn baby to hold them. I plan to take her to the hospital where I was working during the coronavirus outbreak in the future. It will be a very special tour.”

  So far, all of the team members from Ruijin Hospital have been discharged from quarantine.

  Heartfelt welcome notes have been written by family members.

  In a letter to her mother Bi Yufang, deputy Party secretary of the medical team, Shao, who’s also a medical student, expressed her admiration and how she had been motivated by her heroine.

  “My dearest mom, I feel so lucky to have you and your colleagues as my life model, who have taught me the true value of helping others and take responsibility," she wrote.

  Dr Tan Yongyong, from the anesthesiology department, and his wife Chen Xi, a nurse, both joined the fight. Tan signed up for the team and flew to Wuhan a week before Chen. They later were in quarantine at separate places, where Chen received a birthday surprise from both the hotel and her husband.

  “He sent me a touching video of all our memories. I was so moved. He is the one who inspired me to take on the fight and go to Wuhan. This experience is a lifetime lesson,” Chen wrote.

  The mother of Sun Mengjin, the youngest member of the medical team, wrote: “I cannot be more proud of my child. The way you cutting your hair and dressed in protective suit made me realized you’ve grown up to be a person with courage and integrity.”

  At Yueyang Hospital, a simple but solemn ceremony was held to welcome the 37 medics who joined the front-line fight, three of whom were among the first batch traveling to Hubei on the Chinese New Year’s Eve on January 24.

  Medics from the hospital contributed their expertise in traditional Chinese medicine and integrated treatment during their battle at the Leishenshan Hospital.

  Dr Wang Zhenwei, deputy director of the respiratory department, shed tears after hugging his son. He first joined the treatment team at the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and later flew to Wuhan with 30 other colleagues. He was honored for his excellence during the fight.

  Nurse Liu Xiaolan postponed her wedding to joing the battle. “After this fight, I really cherish my family and loved ones," she said.

  “She is the most beautiful bride and a respectable hero to me,” her fiancé said.

  Dr Jiang Jinjun, deputy director of respiratory medicine at Zhongshan Hospital, and head nurse of the ICU Xu Jing were also among the first batch to travel to Hubei during Spring Festival.

  Jiang reflected on his 68 days at Jinyintan Hospital in Wuhan, noting that the prevention system should be ramped up to cope with similar situations in the future.

  “Everything was tough during the first two weeks, as many of us felt so overwhelmed. It still seems like yesterday,” he said. “We need to optimize our prevention and treatment measures so that next time we can do better.”

  Jiang and Xu shared their experiences of the past two weeks under quarantine. They had a healthy daily routine with regular workouts, meanwhile still keeping up with their counterparts in Wuhan to support their work.

  “What happened in Wuhan still flashes back to me these days, including the support we received from volunteers, and the recovering patients who could reunite with their families,” said Xu.

  Jiang brought back home his work pass and hazmat suit with the badge of Jinyintan Hospital, as well as a toy bear for his son.

  On Wednesday, a 136-strong medical team from Zhongshan Hospital will also be discharged from quarantine and return to their families.