Hartlepool Mayor thanks 'fantastic' NHS workers after beating coronavirus - and has this message for the public

Councillor Brenda Loynes tested positive for Covid-19 after undergoing an emergency operation at North Tees hospital in Stockton.

She suffered mild-to-medium symptoms, including a very high fever and tightness in the chest, needing oxygen.

But after 17 days in hospital, including eight in isolation, Coun Loynes has beaten the deadly virus and is now back at home in Hartlepool with her husband Dennis.

She declared: “I’m all-clear now and am feeling much better.”

Coun Loynes, who represents the Rural West ward, was tested for the virus after a woman on the same ward as her tested positive.

She was completely isolated as soon as COVID-19 was confirmed.

Coun Loynes said: “I was alarmed when the nurses came into the room wearing all the masks and gowns and plastic visors.

“Thankfully it wasn’t full-blown.”

She described the care she received as second to none saying: “They were fantastic, I couldn’t fault the doctors, nurses and consultant.

“They are risking their lives to save people and I’m just so grateful to them.

“A lot of the nurses who looked after me were from Hartlepool and they were amazing.”

Coun Loynes also said she has been overwhelmed by people’s good wishes and messages adding: “I’d just like to thank everyone.

“People have been so lovely offering to help and sending get well soon messages.”

As of Tuesday, April 7, Hartlepool has had 33 confirmed cases of COVID-19 – the lowest number in the North East.

Nationally, there have been 51,608 cases across the UK and 5,373 people have died.

Coun Loynes stressed it was very important people continue to listen to the government’s stipulation to stay at home to reduce the spread of the virus and the pressure on the NHS.

She said: “People may think ‘it won’t happen to me’, well it did to me and it’s scary.

“Life can be snatched away just like that. It’s not worth it for the sake of staying in.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you