A 91-year-old Army veteran has made a remarkable recovery from coronavirus in hospital after medics told his family he had just hours to live.
James Burton Wood, of Edenfield, Lancashire, was admitted to hospital a fortnight ago when his health started to deteriorate after a week of suffering symptoms.
The grandfather-of-two tested positive for the infection soon after arriving at hospital and medics told his family he was seriously ill and to say their goodbyes.
The family were left inconsolable and unable to see Mr Wood on the ward at Fairfield General in Bury, but he battled through and is set to be released back home today.
James Burton Wood (left, in recent years; and, right, doing National Service after the Second World War), 91, of Edenfield, Lancashire, was admitted to hospital a fortnight ago
Mr Wood with his friend Elaine Atkin (next to him) and his three daughters Janice, Barbara and Beverley (rear)
Mr Wood, who has lived in Rossendale for most of his life, was 18 when the Second World War ended but joined in the Army doing National Service in the years after.
His granddaughter Jessica Sharkey said his recovery was a rare story of hope at a time when 1,789 Britons have died from the virus and 25,000 have tested positive.
The 32-year-old told MailOnline: ‘I think the virus was putting pressure on all his other ailments. He was probably sick for about a week prior to going into hospital.
‘He was away in St Anne’s on holiday so we think he might have picked it up there. He started to deteriorate, his partner had to call an ambulance for him and he was taken into hospital. As soon as he went in (two weekends ago), they tested him.
Mr Wood with his granddaughter Jessica Sharkey, 32, who shared the story on Facebook
Mr Wood on his 90th birthday with his friend Elaine Atkin (left) and daughters Barbara and Beverley (rear)
‘The test results came back and they were positive, but based on him being tested when he went into hospital the assumption was that he already had it.
The grandfather-of-two tested positive for the infection soon after arriving at hospital
‘They basically said to my auntie, who was with him at the time, that he had days if not hours to live and she had to say her goodbyes – and that would be the end of it and she’d never see him again. As far as were aware, last Tuesday, that was it.
‘We were basically preparing for him to die. My mum was inconsolable, as was my auntie, as was I, because none of us could go to the hospital.
‘But over the next couple of days he was obviously still alive. Then it got to (this) Monday when they said he was going to be able to be released and go home.
‘In the interim my auntie hadn’t been able to leave the house because she had been in close contact with him. Now he’s going to be released today.’
The family are now expecting Mr Wood, who is also a father-of-three and a retired travelling salesman, to go home to his social housing where he will receive care.
His granddaughter Jessica Sharkey said it was a rare story of hope, praising his strength
Mr Wood has been treated on a ward at Fairfield General Hospital in Bury, Greater Manchester
But his partner with whom he lives will have to move out temporarily because she also has health issues which could be impacted.
Ms Sharkey added: ‘On Monday of this week, they said he’s fighting the virus, he’s fought it, and he’s been in for the 14 days. It was a massive relief. My auntie said she had already cancelled his Sky subscription! She had gone through the motions.’
She said the family had also been concerned that they would not be able to have a proper funeral and give him a send-off, before the ‘miraculous turnaround’.
Ms Sharkey also told how her grandfather was ‘popular’ locally, has a lot of friends and still enjoys ballroom dancing, after being taught by his late wife Nellie.
He has also been a keen golfer all his adult life and a lifelong member of Baxenden Golf Club near Accrington, where he was president from 2015 to 2016.
In a Facebook post, marketing director Ms Sharkey added: ‘There are still massive challenges ahead for my grandad and my family but my point is that there’s hope.
‘Even in the darkest of times. Resilience, tenacity, positivity and the collective power of standing together is more important now than ever. Together we can all get through the challenging times ahead, of which I’m sure there will be many.
‘I couldn’t be prouder of my grandad for his strength and determination. He’s hard as nails and an absolute legend and inspiration to others. Stay safe and well folks and keep smiling, we got this.’