WATCH: Black Country coronavirus survivor applauded home after six weeks in hospital
A man who was critically-ill with coronavirus and spent more than three weeks on a ventilator has been applauded back to his Black Country home.
Paul Snookes, aged 58, was in hospital for six weeks fighting for his life against the disease but is now back home in Oldbury.
After initially being diagnosed with a chest infection and seeing no improvement, Paul called 999 and was taken to Sandwell Hospital by emergency crews on March 24.
His daughter Jo McConville, 31 and also from Oldbury, explained: "When the doctors said they thought it was coronavirus dad was so delirious and weak.
WATCH the moment Paul was applauded home:
"He had pneumonia and was put on a ventilator in intensive care for 23 days. He ended up getting double pneumonia, caused by the ventilator and then kidney failure brought on by coronavirus.
"When he was in intensive care, we were told to prepare for the fact that he wasn't going to make it.
"Every time there was any progress in his condition there was a complete drop, he was up and down constantly.
"We couldn't see him. It was a very stressful time waiting for the phone to ring to find out what was happening. We credit the doctors for making the quick decisions they did. We thought and he thought he would not come out."
Doctors performed a tracheotomy on Paul which helped him to come around from the sedation.
He was then moved onto a ward at Sandwell Hospital before being taken to City Hospital to recover.
The father of three came home on May 7 and was greeted with a round of applause and cheers from neighbours and family who had come out to welcome him home to his wife Jen and daughter Louise.
Jen, aged 59, had also been very ill with suspected coronavirus, however she had not been tested.
Jo added: "It's not just the time in intensive care, it's the after effects of the virus that are ongoing.
"Dad has lost three stone, 80 per cent of his muscle mass, he has lost the feeling in his fingers and had to learn to walk, talk and swallow again. He has mobility problems and is walking on crutches.
"He has also highlighted the mental health aspect of it, he has suffered with really bad delirium, hallucinations and nightmares, which doctors have said is common from being on a ventilator, even though he is home and recovering the after effects are ongoing.
"We feel really lucky that dad isn't just a negative statistic as we have seen first hand how unpredictable the virus can be.
"We are so grateful for all the nurses, doctors and staff who cared for him.
"It has been a touching, very emotional time with all of the kind messages and well wishes from people.
"He hopes that his story of his recovery will bring some hope to other families."
