The United States has seen nearly 100,000 people die from COVID-19 since it first started to spread across the country. We’ve also seen thousands of others survive, and fully recover from the virus.
News10NBC talked to one local survivor who credits the care he received at Strong Memorial Hospital for helping him stay alive.
For some people, getting diagnosed with the coronavirus means a battle between life and death. Many people have become critically ill, and were placed on a ventilator to help keep them alive.
71-year-old William Barish is one such patient who dealt with the virus at Strong Memorial Hospital.
“I remember entering the hospital through the emergency section, other than that until I was out of intensive care I have no recollection of my time in intensive care at all,” Barish said.
In fact he doesn’t remember the first three weeks of April. The only thing he remembers is the spectacular care he says he received after leaving ICU.
“Doctors, nurses. I was well informed. I wasn’t scared at all, because I had such good care,” Barish said.
Strong Memorial Hospital doctors say they learned a lot as they attempted to save the lives of those who died from the pandemic. Lessons that helped others like Barish survive, Dr. Anthony Pietropaoli said.
“We learned a lot about the natural history of the disease, how long it takes to get better,” Pietropaoli said. “We learned to be very patient recognizing that patients can be severely ill for a prolonged period, but then eventually they start showing signs of improvement.”
As the country nears 100,000 deaths, we asked Barish how he feels.
“Very lucky, and humbled and I credit my survival, I’m not sure if I went to another hospital that the outcome would be the same. I really believe the care I got at Strong Memorial Hospital was truly superb, and I think I got the best medicine available,” Barish said.
He continues to receive home care as he recovers.
https://www.whec.com/coronavirus/covid-19-patient-praises-care-at-strong-memorial-hospital/5741855/
— WHEC