‘The odds were stacked against me’: Edinburgh NHS worker reunited with family after ‘remarkable’ coronavirus recovery

Karen McCabe has been discharged from hospital after being treated in ICU.

The 44-year-old NHS worker, who suffers from diabetes, was sedated and put on a ventilator at the Western General Hospital after she contracted Covid-19.

“Last Monday I sent a few text messages to my partner to tell the kids how much I loved them because I thought that was me,” she told the BBC Breakfast yesterday.

But this morning Karen told the show that she had fully recovered from the disease, and was at home with her family.

Karen McCabe has been reunited with her family. Credit: BBC

She described her recovery, which was complicated by her diabetes, as “remarkable” and said she “had a nice long bath” to unwind once she was home.

Karen’s partner, Robert, told interviewers how he had managed their two children, seven-year-old Anna and four-year-old Joe, through the crisis.

“Not being able to see your loved ones is the hardest part,” he said, “but the kids have been great, they’ve been doing as they're told.

While Karen was in hospital, Robert said “we did the FaceTime thing with mum a few times.”

Asked what message she would give to other people, Karen replied “People will be frightened, there’s no doubt about that - you can’t take that away.

“But early intervention is really important. Make contact with NHS 24.

Referring to her underlying condition, Karen said “the odds were stacked against me, but at the height of my symptoms I got help early.

“Just call NHS 24. The quicker you can get in and get assessed, the better.”