80-year-old is cheered out of King’s College Hospital as he beats coronavirus

An 80-year-old has been cheered out of hospital after fighting off coronavirus at King’s College Hospital.

Jose-Luis Fernandez, a grandfather of five from Sidcup, had been admitted hospital on March 15 where he tested positive for Covid-19.

His symptoms worsened drastically, and two days later he was moved to intensive care.

His daughter, Natasha Rachael Raphoz, said: “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, Jose-Luis’ condition began to improve, and on April 28, staff at King’s College Hospital gathered to applaud him and Natasha as he returned home.

Natasha added: “Dad’s recovery has been nothing short of miraculous. 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.”

Sarah Dheansa, acting head of nursing for neurosciences at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, was part of the team who cared for Jose-Luis.

She said: “We were thrilled to be able to give Jose-Luis a proper send off after making such an incredible recovery from Covid-19.

“Staff across the hospital are working round the clock in unprecedented circumstances, and I hope we can continue to celebrate more and more of these recoveries as time goes on.”

Jose-Luis Fernandez is one of more than 1,000 King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust patients who have made a recovery from Covid-19, including a 100-year-old patient who was discharged from the Princess Royal University Hospital last month.

Pictured top: Jose-Luis Fernandez with his daughter, Natasha