A man who beat coronavirus after spending 12 days on a ventilator received a round of applause from nursing staff when he left hospital after beating Covid-19.

Peter Ananicz was hospitalised for a total of 17 days after he was brought by ambulance to Maidstone Hospital’s Emergency Department on Tuesday, March 31.

Peter Ananicz, who spent 12 days on a ventilator leaves Maidstone Hospital to round of applause from staff

His wife Ruth dialled 999 because he was struggling to breathe after several days of feeling unwell.

On arrival he was given oxygen to help him breath and a swab test was carried out to test him for coronavirus.

Within two hours of him being initially assessed by medical staff, Peter was told he needed to go on a ventilator so his body could fight off the infection and recover.

The 68-year-old, who runs his own business Solar for Schools, said: “I’ve never needed hospital treatment for anything in my life before, but it all happened so quickly I didn’t have time to worry.

"All I knew was that I wanted help because I was struggling to breathe and that I was in safe hands.”

Peter was moved to ITU where he was given an anaesthetic so a tube could be passed through his mouth into his lungs.

A mechanical ventilator then took over his breathing for the next 12 days to help him fight the virus.

Visiting restrictions, which were put in place by the trust just days earlier to protect patients and staff from the virus, meant Ruth was unable to visit Peter in hospital but the ITU staff updated her on his progress every day via phone.

On Saturday, April 11, she finally received the call she had been longing for – Peter was awake and off of ventilation.

Peter said: "When they brought me round they asked me my name and if I knew where I was.

"At that point I had no idea that I had been out for 12 days.”

Two days later he was moved from ITU to John Day ward where he remained until he was discharged on Thursday, April 16.

He is now back at home recovering.

He said: “There are no words I can say because thank you will never be enough.

"Both the staff on ITU and John Day were absolutely fantastic.

“I’m so pleased and grateful to still be here and back at home with Ruth.

"I am currently doing some physio exercises to help strengthen my legs and I am getting stronger every day.

“Once the restrictions have been lifted I plan on visiting the hospital to personally thank the members of staff who looked after me.

"Without them I might not be here today.”

Ruth, 60, said: “On the day he was taken to hospital by ambulance I still didn’t think it could be the coronavirus so when I got the call a few hours later saying he was being ventilated I couldn’t quite believe it.

“Although I couldn’t see him whilst he was in hospital I totally understood the reasons why and the staff were very good at keeping me informed all the time he was in hospital.

“Peter was one of the lucky ones and we are both so grateful for everything the medical team did for him.

"I know some others won’t have been as lucky as us and my heart goes out to them.”

Clinical director for theatres and critical care Paul Moran said: “Everyone at the trust is pleased to hear that Peter is now back at home with his wife Ruth. He is proof that you can recover from this virus.

“More than 170 patients have recovered from Covid-19 and been discharged from our hospitals thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff and hopefully those figures provide hope to anyone whose loved one is currently receiving treatment on our ITUs.

“We urge the public to keep following the government’s advice which is to Stay home. Protect the NHS. Save lives.”

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.

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