Li Jing (second from right) waves goodbye to a medical worker when discharged from a 14-day medical observation in Wuhan, Hubei province. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Unlike photographs that captured the realism of key moments, Li decided to represent the front line workers and the other subjects as cute cartoon characters to deliver joy via a more animated approach.

"I draw pictures of those who cared for us, the love and warmth we feel is unforgettable," she says, adding that she hopes to record the warmth she received and pass it on to more people.

Wuhan was hit hard by the virus as the number of confirmed cases grew quickly, and the city was overwhelmed with anxiety and fear. Li found out that she had contracted COVID-19 in February, and was admitted to a makeshift hospital in a converted sports stadium that held around 300 patients with mild symptoms.

The gloomy and cold weather, coupled with her worries about her family and the fear of a sudden worsening of her condition, depressed Li in the first few days of her stay at the facility, known as Fangcang hospital.