Young doctors overwhelmed by coronavirus crisis

For young doctors like Christian Vigil the new coronavirus is a sobering experience.

The Spanish 26-year-old finds himself working in conditions more commonly seen in natural disasters.

Thousands have died in Spain, which has the world's second highest death toll - and medics cannot currently offer any vaccine.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPANISH DOCTOR, CHRISTIAN VIGIL, SAYING:

"The feeling is that the treatments we are providing, which are still pending clinical studies to confirm their effectiveness, don't seem to fully work in many cases. So, that makes us feel helpless."

Heavy workloads and fear of infecting others adds to the strain for the Madrid-based doctor.

At home he reads to take his mind off the crisis - and relaxes with his housemates.

Christian also speaks to his parents back home in the Asturias region.

He said they are proud of his work, and join in the daily applause Spain gives to its health workers.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPANISH DOCTOR, CHRISTIAN VIGIL, SAYING:"I would like this feeling of honouring health workers to be maintained when this is over. I hope society will support our demands that we have to strengthen the health system and come out stronger from this."

Christian wanted to become a doctor in his teens.

The harsh experience of coronavirus has not put him off realising his dream.