U.S. nurse says dying patients continue to deny COVID-19. (Photo: CNN)

Washington, November 18 (RHC)-- In the U.S. state of South Dakota, where the COVID-19 death rate is among the worst in the world, emergency room nurse Jodi Doering says she’s treated many patients who deny that COVID-19 is making them ill even as they’re hospitalized. 

In a now-viral thread on Twitter, Doering wrote: “These people really think this isn’t going to happen to them.  And then they stop yelling at you when they get intubated.” 

Jodi Doering told CNN: “Their last dying words are 'This can't be happening.  It’s not real.’  And when they should be spending time FaceTiming their families, they’re filled with anger and hatred.  And it just made me really sad the other night, and I just can’t believe that those are going to be their last thoughts and words.”