WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- A North Carolina nurse has returned home after working in a New York City hospital treating COVID-19 patients.

Winston-Salem nurse Alan Grizzard was deployed to work at a hospital in the Bronx for three weeks.

He said he had to do everything from CPR on patients, to holding their hand while they got a breathing tube pulled because they got better. He said he also held their hands so they didn't have to die alone. 

Grizzard said the support from the hospital and the community is what got him through the toughest days and nights.

“Just a pat on my back as we walk in the door in the morning, from either a police officer, or a firefighter, or paramedic, or hospital co-workers, or even strangers would line the hospital sidewalks, banging pots and pans cheering for us,” emphasized Grizzard. 

It wasn't just the support from New Yorkers. People from Winston-Salem welcomed Grizzard home with a parade to thank him for his service.

He said he wants to continue to help fight this worldwide pandemic, so he will re-deploy if asked to.