SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- The woman known as San Diego’s “dancing nurse,” who has treated COVID-19 patients around the country since the onset of the pandemic, contracted the virus herself.
Ana Wilkinson has been on the frontlines at hospitals in San Diego, New York, and Texas for nearly a year. During that time, her dance moves helped lift the spirits of patients and fellow staff members and went viral.
In early December, Wilkinson returned from a stint in Texas and was eager to be one of the first to get the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine.
Wilkinson tested negative for COVID-19 on a Sunday and went back to work the following day. She took another test and was given the vaccine on a Wednesday.
“A few days later, I got the results that I was positive,” she told ABC 10News’ Lindsey Peña.
Wilkinson said she doesn’t know exactly when or where she got the virus. During that time, her firefighter husband was potentially exposed at work, but he tested negative.
She said she quickly went from feeling fine to very sick.
“I became short of breath, body aches, night sweats, the whole shebang; like I was out of energy and I couldn't do anything,” Wilkinson said.
Wilkinson was reminded of how life changing COVID can be.
“You think of all the people we've lost that could be your friend, your neighbor. I've seen that and now I’m going through COVID …,” she said.
Wilkinson is sharing her story because she wants people to remember that health care workers get sick, too.
“We are 100 percent human, and if we’re not there, who’s going to treat your families?” said Wilkinson.
While she’s feeling better, Wilkinson said she’s far from ready to go back to work.
She wants to remind people to wear a mask, follow other health guidelines, and get the vaccine, if you can.
“I was so proud, honestly, still so proud that I got the vaccine. There is hope,” she said.