'I've felt nothing like it' - coronavirus patient thanks medics after leaving hospital
Gary Smith spent ten days in the hospital with the illness
A Scottish man who was left hospitalised for ten days by coronavirus is thanking the medics who helped save him.
Gary Smith was taken to Borders General Hospital after coming down with a fever and having breathing difficulties.
He was discharged after ten days and is continuing his recovery at home in Galashiels.
And the 61-year-old says he owes it all to the NHS workers.
He told us: "They were working non-stop, I never saw anyone taking a break. Right from the cleaner to the person that was administering the drugs.
"I just prayed every night. The nurses and the doctors and everybody involved were amazing. If it wasn't for these guys, I obviously wouldn't be here."
NHS Borders shared a video of Gary leaving the Covid-19 ward after he was discharged, with staff applauding him out.
He says the virus was like nothing he'd ever experienced.
He said: "I've felt nothing like it in my life. it was like a 20 stone man was sitting on my chest. It was unbelievable.
"I obviously didn't think I was coming out. It was really, really scary.
"My brother called me and said 'you need to fight this, you're got a family' - and that's exactly what I've done."
He added he will join people up and down the country in applauding NHS workers tonight: "I will be 100% out there.
"My wife Yvonne, she works as a nurse, so it'll give me great pleasure to applaud the NHS."
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