AN IRISH father-of-three enjoyed an emotional round of applause from hospital staff after leaving intensive care following 16 days on a ventilator with COVID-19.
Healthcare workers lined the corridors of Causeway Hospital in Coleraine this past Wednesday to clap Geoffrey McKillop, 56, as he was pushed out of the ICU.
Geoffrey from Bushmills in Co Antrim, had been ill at home with coronavirus for ten torrid days before the decision was taken to bring him to hospital.
Upon approval at Causeway Hospital, he was taken straight to the ICU ward and put on a ventilator.
Geoffrey spent 16 days in ICU on a ventilator, amid concerns among his family that he would not survive.
But with the incredible help and support of the nurses and doctors at Causeway Hospital, however, Geoffrey fought back against the virus to get on the road to recovery.
“He’s making slow progress but he’s back with us and we feel truly blessed to have him back with us,” Geoffrey’s sister and Causeway Hospital nurse, Anne McClelland said.
"With the devotion, dedication and determination of all the doctors and nurses at Causeway Hospital who helped Geoffrey with his fight, he has won and we are totally in awe."
A popular figure in the Bushmills community, Geoffrey owns and runs the Hip Chip and Codsway restaurants and his absence in the town has been keenly felt.
On Wednesday night, people across the town gathered to clap for him at 8pm outside the Hip Chip in a show of love and support for their neighbour and friend.
A hero’s welcome awaits when he finally gets back to Bushmills as well as an introduction to the latest member of the McKillop clan – his first grandson Alexander.
