Essex residents have been paying tribute to staff in the NHS and care sectors during the coronavirus outbreak.

As cases continue to rise, the Echo reached out to its readers to ask them to share kind words about those right at the frontline of the battle with COVID-19.

We received an unprecedented amount of love for the NHS, social workers and care workers, along with emergency services.

Below is just some of the messages received.

Nicola Clark, who works in Essex Cardiothoracic Centre (CTC) at Basildon Hospital, said: “Thanks to my amazing colleagues, my work family, in ITU at the Essex CTC.

“In times like this we all pull together and provide each other with the support needed to keep going.”

Jennifer Baker said: “I want to say a massive thank you to my cousin Toni Johnson for the help you give others and how you put them first as part of the NHS Basildon Hospital, and Adam Mace for the compassion he has while working in a care home. Well done guys, me and kids love you both.”

Claire Capon said: “I work in pharmacy at Basildon Hospital and we’re always forgotten when people think of the NHS, but we play such an important part as well.

“I work with a fantastic team who all go out of their way to help each other, starting early and staying late, giving 110% every day.”

Michaela Shelma Fogasova said: “I would love to say a MASSIVE THANK YOU to Chris Eastty for finding time between his family at home and family at Southend Hospital A&E majors department, for sorting out bus passes for elderly generation.

“Thanks to Chris, the elderly can now use Arriva bus passes anytime, mainly before 9.30am to get to shopping stores, to those that allocated early access for elderly for them to be able to get all the essentials.

“We are all in it and we all need to help each other at this hard time. Well done, Chris!”

Chris Eastty later commented himself, saying: “I want to make a shout out to my most excellent Emergency Department colleagues, we are undoubtedly one of the busiest places in the hospital, but my god do we work hard. In times of tremendous pressure, we struggle thorough it's not easy. I don't count my colleagues as colleagues, I count them as family.

“But the biggest shout out goes to our domestic Shirley, with all the extra jobs she has to do she has done amazing, never moans, does a thorough job, domestics usually don't get praised but this woman deserves it.

“Along with all staff, porter, reception staff everybody else we could not get through this horrid time without you.”

Kim McClintock said: “Fantastic work for those NHS UK of this are putting there lives at the front line of it all and saving humanity while it is on the line.

“We appreciate all you NHS, and public sector, supermarkets, chemist's, local shops, support workers, carer's, keeping us guys with food, water in are belly workers keeping calm, we will get through this.

“Big virtual hug to all of you, from all of us humans xx thank you for being amazing humans when life is hard you all keep us safe.”

Damian King said: “I’m a manager at Rosedale Court care home and I want to say a massive thank you to our dedicated staff who are working tirelessly to make sure our residents are not cut off from their loved ones in this difficult time.

“A big thank you to all NHS, carers and social workers.”

Samantha Greene, who works at Basildon Hospital, said: “Thank you to my colleagues at Basildon Hospital especially my amazing Respiratory Team at Basildon Hospital.

“You are all truly amazing and we will get through this and come out bigger and better.”

Megan Palmer said: “Want to give thanks to my husband James Palmer, as a newly qualified paramedic, and his crew mate Sophie, fresh out on to the road, they continue every day to put themselves last and everyone else first. Forever grateful for the over and above care given by the ambulance service!”

Courtney Griffin said: “I’m so proud to be part of an incredible team at Broomfield Hospital; from ICU consultants, the supportive respiratory consultants, nurses, matrons, healthcare assistants and domestics; you play an integral part in all this and I cannot be prouder of you all! Devotion, care and compassion, always! Keep fighting.”

Samantha Graham said: “Thank you to my brother Daniel Graham, he works in Basildon Hospital, heart surgery, also thank you to all the other doctors, nurses, any hospital staff, risking their own health, to help others, truly wonderful people. We would be lost without you all.”

Kara Gerrie said: “I would like to thank all of my colleagues on the Neonatal Unit who, as always, are working hard as a team to help ensure babies and families are well supported at a time which is scary for everyone.”

Lizzie Sloman said: “Thank you for my fellow student nurses, who have been working so hard and who have second jobs as HCAs, picking up extra shifts to help fight this. I can’t wait until we all get through this together and qualify. We are strong, we can do this.”

Steve Riley said: “Thank you to the NHS staff you’re doing a great job. Also thanks to the behind the scene workers who unlike the NHS staff, get no thanks at all.

“The refuse men that dispose of the hospital waste, the launderette workers that wash the hospital bedding, the people that manufacture beds, the people that deliver goods to the hospital , people that work in factories manufacturing surgical wear and appliances.

“In fact, anyone that works and pays tax. The list goes on and on, we are all part of a giant cog that enables the NHS and everything else to function. We are all in this together, we must all work together, and we all need praise.”

Paige Trendell said: “I want to say thank you to my mum and her whole team who work long hours doing a brilliant job for Children’s Social Services, Essex County Council. You guys have an extremely difficult job at times, and you do everything you can for looked after children. Making them feel loved and safe. So thank you!”

Sally Georgia Connolly said: “Thank you to the police, who many people don't realise are on the front line as much as anyone else. They can't stop attending emergencies, they can't not enter people's homes, they can't self-isolate.

“They are still out there keeping us safe, but they are so forgotten in all of this, they often support the NHS in many ways day to day anyway, and this is no exception. Thank you to the police for still putting your local communities first and working through all of this.”

Ellie Miller said: “Thank you to all my Nurses, Care, and Support staff at Havens Hospices who continue to care for children, young people and adults in our inpatient units and the community. Those living with palliative conditions and those requiring end of life care. They are all Havens Heroes and are pulling together and covering each other to keep services running.”

Holly Etchells said: “At Belfairs Academy we have been thanking the NHS by writing cards. They are doing an amazing job. Generous, kind and loving in such a tough time.

“We will be delivering the cards to a family member who works at Southend Hospital and hopefully she can distribute them to put a smile on peoples’ faces and know that they are appreciated.”