Konda Mbwaki, 60, was discharged from Queen’s Hospital yesterday (Wednesday 15 April) after spending almost three weeks in hospitals and half that time in intensive care, battling Covid-19.

The father-of-four, who also has six grandchildren aged from two to ten, couldn’t wait to get home to wife Yoko Vumeri, after not being able to see her throughout his hospital stay.

He said: “I am so lucky to be going home and I’m really excited to see my wife, and my daughter Sephora, the last of my kids who lives at home.

“I video-called my wife in hospital, but I wasn’t able to see her so it’ll be really nice to get home and enjoy some home comforts.”

Konda, of Gibson Road, Dagenham, was admitted to King George Hospital on Saturday 28 March after falling ill at home. His wife called an ambulance after he felt sick and struggled to breathe. Paramedics immediately recognised that he could have Covid-19.

During his stay on intensive care, Konda, who also has diabetes, spent time on a ventilator and was so ill he didn’t think about the fact that he had a deadly illness. When he was well enough to leave intensive care, he was moved from King George Hospital to Mandarin A ward at Queen’s Hospital to continue his recovery.

The driver for Ford in Dagenham was full of praise for all the staff who cared for him. He said: “They looked after me really well and I’m very happy.

“Whenever I didn’t understand anything, they were there to explain it to me. Whenever I called them, they came to help me. Thank you to all the nurses and everyone who was there to support me, god bless you all.”

Sarah Neilson, our senior sister on Mandarin A ward, was delighted to see Konda go home. She said: “Konda was the first Covid-19 patient to come to us from intensive care and he was still very poorly at first.

“To see him doing so much better and going home is lovely and he can continue to rest and recuperate at home.”

Having recovered from Covid-19, Konda had a serious message for everyone:

“Be careful – this virus exists and I know the pain it can cause. Don’t play the game, wash your hands and follow all the guidance and medical advice.”