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A nurse was assaulted and racially abused by a couple as she walked to work for an overtime shift to help her struggling NHS colleagues amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Reizel Quaichon was already "mentally shattered" from "risking her life" working long hours during the COVID-19 crisis when the shock attack happened.

Sharing her story on Facebook, Reizel says she was pushed aside and called a “c***” in the "inhumane" incident.

In a statement she wrote: “Yesterday I was racially abused by a couple at the train station on my way to a night shift at the hospital.

(Image: Reizel Angela/Facebook)

“A man elbowed my rib, intentionally pushing me to the side, the female partner then shouted racial abuse saying: “at least we are whites you f***ing c***.”

Fourteen more UK deaths were reported on Sunday, while the number of COVID-19 cases rose by 251 to 1,391.

Reizel said: "Doctors, Nurses and healthcare workers are literally risking their lives on the frontline with limited resources and yet some people feel the need to impose more hatred and fear.

"I dare anyone who doesn’t work in the healthcare environment to come and observe just ONE day in the hospital and watch healthcare workers literally struggle to deal with immense pressures that come with staff shortages and lack of resources topped off with fear and panic in the environment."

(Image: Reizel Angela/Facebook)

Now she has appealed to others to not use the coronavirus outbreak as an “excuse for discrimination" and urged the public to “work together” in an impassioned plea as she revealed the mental and physical toll on hospital staff.

She said: “I thought I’d share this video because I've just experienced something that really opened my eyes with today’s society.

“So I was coming out of the train station, just minding my own business, trying to get out of the barriers so I can come to work as a nurse.

“And this couple just came and physically and verbally abused me for my race.

“So I appreciate there’s a lot of hate going around at the moment due to coronavirus but virus is not an excuse to be racist or discriminate against anyone.

“It’s not. You know, the coronavirus will go away, it will go away but discrimination will have a permanent impact.

“I mean, look at me, I’m trying to do my job, coming into work, feeling absolutely mentally shattered just because I’ve had that experience.

(Image: PA)

“It’s absolutely disgusting the way I feel, I can’t even tell you how I feel to be honest with you. “I’m sure a lot of people have gone through it and not said anything or have just brushed it [away]…. because I have been.

“For the previous month or so, I’ve just brushed it...oh you know it’s ignorance.

“I feel like this virus is really testing humanity.

(Image: REUTERS)

"People need to wake up and realise that this virus is not an excuse to be racist or discriminate against everyone. Period.

“Everyone needs to come together, the NHS is struggling, my goodness we have no staff, no doctors, nothing.

“I am coming into work because I have this duty and now I can’t even go out and mind my own business without being attacked, are you crazy?

(Image: PA)

“This is not on. I feel really upset and hope people stand up for it if they come across people who are being offensive.

“This is a time when everyone should come together. It shouldn’t be an excuse to create more segregation. I feel like this virus is really testing everyone, we all just need to work together and protect each other.

“Because you know it’s difficult, especially for those who are in the frontline trying to do their best with the limited resources they have.

(Image: Getty Images)

“So people, can you please just...this racism, this discrimination needs to go. Work together. Protect each other. Be good. Be kind, that’s all you can do at this time."

Since sharing her account, Reizel's video has been shared over 10,000 times.

Thousands of people have commented kind-hearted messages of support and even offers of help.

One person wrote: "I’d be happy to escort you to work and make sure your safe. You don’t deserve it nor did you ask for it.

(Image: PA)

"Before I worked in the NHS I was in the forces then police, if anything makes me sick it’s cowards picking on women, elderly and vulnerable.

"You keep doing what you do and ask any guy worth his salt nearby to look out for you if you ever feel intimidated again, he will help."

Another person added: "It upsets me that humanity as come to this and a virus has brought the bad side out in everyone I feel for this nurse shes just doing a job that many wouldnt do and gets attacked , we all should be ashamed of our selves that we have come to this."

A third person commented: "I am so sorry to hear and read what you've been through.

"You are brave, strong and rising above. You're taking great risks, and you're doing overtime. I applaude you, know we're all here behind you.

"Big warm hugs to you and your colleagues."

A number of racist incidents relating to coronavirus are being investigated by police.

Filmmaker Lucy Sheen was on her way to rehearsals when a white male passenger whispered in her ear: "Why don't you f**k off back to China and take your filth with you."

And a student from Singapore posted shocking pictures of the injuries he suffered in a racism-fuelled 'coronavirus' attack.

Jonathan Mok was allegedly targeted by thugs in London who said "coronavirus" to him as he walked past and then beat him up when he stood up to them.

Following the outbreak, China's ambassador to the UK has condemned "hatred" against Chinese people.