Emotional coronavirus survivor aged 94 thanks ‘kind’ NHS staff who saved her life

A 94-year-old woman has praised NHS staff for saving her life after contracting the coronavirus.

Eluned Mathias was admitted to hospital in Gwynedd after she started experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, including a high temperature as well as being left unable to get up from her sofa.

She said she feared the virus would kill her due to having a number of underlying health conditions.

However, she has now said an emotional thank you to the health workers who cared for her after making a good recovery.

Eluned was looked after at both Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor and later recuperated at Ysbyty Bryn Beryl in Pwlllheli, a community hospital that has been designated for patients with the disease.

Watch the video below to hear from one of our patients at Ysbyty Bryn Beryl who has beaten #COVID__19 at the age of 94 years old!

Eluned Mathias has been recovering at Ysbyty Bryn Beryl, one of our community hospitals that is designated to caring for patients with COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/xInUowoaV5

— Betsi Cadwaladr #StayHomeSaveLives (@BetsiCadwaladr) May 27, 2020

Describing her ordeal in a video shared by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, she said: “I feel very lucky to be where I am because I always thought, if I caught it, I wouldn’t have much hope because I had so many other things wrong with me.

“I felt myself getting more and more ill each day. I wasn’t able to do anything, just lie on the sofa to tell you the truth.

“I was getting sicker and sicker and my daughter phoned and said she’d called the doctor.

“The doctor came around 3.45 and he took one look at me and said I had a high temperature. I had the virus. I said it was impossible as I hadn’t been out.”

Staff at the hospital said they had seen a large number of patients with the virus in the community.

However, they said the amount of cases had stabilised and are now hopeful the pandemic has passed its peak.

Expressing her gratitude to the NHS worker, Eluned said: “I feel great really and everybody is so kind. I’ll never be able to thank them enough.

“Bryn Beryl and Ysbyty Gwynedd staff, everyone has been amazingly kind, doing their best and were there for you 24/7.”