Yahoo News Kate Garraway's husband now longest suffering critical COVID-19 patient in UK after six-month battle
Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper is currently believed to be the longest suffering coronavirus patient in the UK after spending six months in hospital.
Former political adviser Draper, 53, was admitted to hospital with COVID-19 on 28 March and has just spent his 184th day in and out of intensive care.
The Good Morning Britain presenter’s husband – who remains in a coma – is now thought to be the longest-surviving coronavirus victim in the UK still receiving treatment in hospital.
Watch: Kate Garraway says it's been 'a tough week' for husband Derek Draper
Read more: Kate Garraway: It’s tough not seeing Derek on our 15th wedding anniversary
Fatima Bridle, 35, was previously reported to be the UK’s longest-suffering covid patient when she was discharged from Southampton General Hospital in August after 141 days, including 105 on a ventilator.
Garraway, 53, revealed in July that she had been told six times by doctors that Draper would not survive, and added that his body has been left ravaged by the disease.
She said: “Of course, there’s fantastic hope that he’s still alive. The doctors do keep saying it is a miracle he’s still alive. Six times they said he’s not going to make it.
“He’s been very, very sick. The problem is, is that it’s a new disease which nobody knows, so there’s no data. So what they can say to me is, ‘It’s great that he’s here, it’s great that there are some flickers of hope’.
“His lungs are starting to recover a little bit, his kidneys are doing better, his liver is doing better. They don’t know how much better he can get. There is just nothing he can compare it with.”
And the I’m A Celebrity star recently admitted her heartbreak at not being able to see Draper on their 15th wedding anniversary on 10 September.
Garraway said: “What an extraordinary thing. I won’t be able to see him today.
“I kind of hoped I would but it hasn’t worked out that way for the visit… But maybe it would be a bit strange anyway. So it’s a tough day.”
Read more: Kate Garraway admits frustration at husband's progress
Due to quarantine restrictions in place to limit the spread of coronavirus Garraway and her children Darcey, 14, and Billy, 11, have been limited in their contact with Draper due to coronavirus quarantine restrictions. But they are able to speak to him on FaceTime everyday.
Watch: People in England face £10,000 fines for not self-isolating
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