Royal Derby Hospital worker Cyrus celebrates COVID discharge
A member of staff who spent more than three weeks in intensive care battling Coronavirus was today (15 May) discharged from Royal Derby Hospital to rapturous applause from his friends and colleagues.
Cyrus Casandra, who is a Clinical Support Worker for the Hospital Out of Hours Team at Royal Derby, was admitted via ambulance on 11 April after suffering from COVID symptoms for more than a week.
After being admitted to the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU), Cyrus’ condition didn’t improve and he was then admitted to the Intensive Care Unit on 12 April, where he was intubated and ventilated.
After spending 23 days in Intensive Care, Cyrus was transferred to one of the respiratory wards, Ward 404, where he continued his recovery before being sent home.
Speaking as he left the Discharge Assessment Unit, Cyrus said: “It feels absolutely fantastic to be going home. I’ve been really looking forward to this moment.
“Everyone here has been so caring and just brilliant. It feels special, especially as I’ve been surrounded by my colleagues the whole time.”
Lauren Collins, Senior Sister on Ward 404, said: “When he came to us, he needed a lot of support. He spent a lot of time with our physios and the wider team who helped him to get back on his feet, which he did very quickly and showed really promising signs early on.
“We had some videos calls with his wife which really boosted his spirits, and he also celebrated VE Day with us which was great.
“To be able to support him in going home is a really big achievement that we’re really proud of.”
Senior Sister in the Discharge Assessment Unit, Lizzie Sidders, said: “Seeing Cyrus discharged today, not only as a patient but as a dear colleague to many of us in the Trust, was emotional and heart-warming.
“It was really touching to see the staff from different departments who wanted celebrate his recovery and his discharge home.”
Despite having only just left as a patient, Cyrus has already got his sights set on returning to work following his recovery: “I’m looking forward to building my strength back up and then getting back to work.”