Production pressure – the pressure to continue to work at maximum capacity – presents risks to patient safety. This study reported on a survey of 534 healthcare providers and hospital staff in the Hunan province of China about the psychological impact of COVID-19. Respondents cited moral and social responsibility as being the strongest driver to continue working long hours during the outbreak and expressed anxiety and concerns regarding their safety, the safety of their families, and high mortality among their patients. Recognition of healthcare staff by hospital management and government, strong infection control guidelines, and specialized equipment and facilities for the management of COVID‑19 were reported as factors that mitigated psychological burnout.