St Leonards woman spent six days in induced coma after contracting Covid-19

Ruth Andrew with husband Craig SUS-200415-083523001

A woman from St Leonards has thanked the staff at Conquest Hospital for helping to save her life after she contracted Covid-19.

Ruth Andrew, 36, was taken to hospital on March 23 after complaining of breathing difficulties.

She was put into a medically-induced coma and put onto a ventilator in the intensive care unit (ICU), while she was tested for the virus.

When she was brought round – six days later – she was told she had tested positive for Covid-19.

Ruth Andrew in hospital SUS-200415-083512001

Last Monday (April 6) Ruth was discharged from hospital after 14 days.

She said: “(Staff) told me I was the first person to be discharged having spent time in ICU and I got a lovely ‘guard of honour’ clap from the staff when I was discharged from Baird Ward.

“I would not have survived without them. They are working tirelessly without dropping a smile, even though it’s obvious how much they’re struggling with PPE and stress.

“Obviously no visitors are allowed, so they become the only human contact we have in there and they are fabulous at that alone. Also, for my husband and children, they were providing daily updates on my condition via phone.”

Ruth, a civil servant with no underlying health conditions, said her first symptoms included a