One of United Kingdom’s longest suffering COVID-19 patient, who was unable to walk on his own for nearly a year after being ravaged by the effects of virus, has taken his first steps since March 2020.
Jason Kelk, 49, was admitted to St James’ Hospital in Leeds, West Yorks, on March 31 last year, DailyMail reports.
The virus has damaged his lungs and kidneys but doctors were baffled why he has been unable to recover or walk.
However, he is finally on the road to recovery after taking his first steps on his own, as Jason was seen in an emotional video taking his first tentative steps along the intensive care ward, flanked by some of the hospital staff who have been supporting him.
His wife Sue Kelk, 63, said she felt like she was “10 foot tall” and was so proud of him when he walked for the first time earlier this week since being admitted to hospital in March last year.
He’s managed to walk on the spot before and had taken a few steps but this was the first time he’s walked like this. It was quite a long way – about six to 10 metres I think they said. It was a fantastic moment, I was absolutely buzzed.
Jason, who works in IT at a local primary school, had certain risk factors for severe COVID-19 as a type-two diabetic with mild asthma.
Sue said over the past four weeks he has managed to spend increasing periods of time off his ventilator and his previously 24-hour kidney filter has been reduced.
Hospital staff have also managed to take Jason outside for fresh air and to see Sue three times over the past three weeks after not being able to see each other outdoors since May.
She expressed;
He has been doing really well. He got to the point of being able to spend 16 hours off the ventilator every day, and just going back on for eight hours every night. He also got up to 60 hours off his kidney filter, that’s happened about four or five times now.
It’s been brilliant because you are not encumbered by masks or gloves. It was just Jason and me and whoever else I take with me.
We just chat and sit there holding hands and stuff, and sneak a little kiss. It’s just been so lovely to see him.
