An octogenarian has been discharged from King’s College Hospital after spending nearly a month in intensive care with COVID-19.
Eighty-year-old Jose-Louis Fernandez, from Sidcup, has made a remarkable recovery after being admitted to hospital on March 15 and moved into intensive care two days later after a drastic decline.
His daughter, Natasha Rachael Raphoz, explained: “It was heart-breaking when we got the call telling us my Dad had been moved to intensive care.
“We really weren’t sure if we’d ever see him again. All we could do was prepare for the worst, but desperately keep hoping for the best.”
After 28 days in intensive care his condition began to improve. On Tuesday, April 28, staff gathered to applaud him as he prepared to return home.
He is one of more than 1,000 King’s patients to survive COVID-19. The oldest survivor the trust has treated is a 100-year-old who recovered from the virus at the trust’s Princess Royal Site last month.
“Dad’s recovery has been nothing short of miraculous,” Natasha added.
“At one point, we didn’t know if he’d be able to walk or talk again, yet he’s back on his feet.
“So many people at King’s were instrumental in my Dad’s recovery. We can never thank them enough.”