Doctors praised after Edinburgh grandad who had 'severe' Covid-19 symptoms leaves hospital and is now 'on road to recovery'

An Edinburgh grandad who was admitted to hospital in March with “severe” Covid-19 symptoms has fought off the virus and is now recovering at home.

Doctors at the Western General Hospital gave 73-year-old Duncan Mckinnon high levels of oxygen during his treatment, which lasted about two and a half weeks.

Speaking to the Evening News today, his grandaughter Lauren Brown said: “He was in quite a bad way, to be honest, and we were expecting the worst but he turned a corner within about a week and amazed the doctors. They gradually started lowering his oxygen and giving him antibiotics.

Duncan with Lauren (right) and his youngest grandchild, Caleb (left).

“The doctors had said to my mum that he had one of the more severe cases of the virus.

“We just want to say thanks to everyone in ward 75, they were absolutely amazing. The doctors had all of the protective equipment and did a great job of keeping my grandad’s spirits up.”

Welcome home

Miss Brown said her grandad started showing typical coronavirus symptoms of coughing and fever on March 23rd – but his condition worsened and he started struggling to breath and began coughing up blood. He was admitted to hospital on March 30th and was discharged on April 16th.

Video footage shows Duncan Mckinnon leaving the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh on Thursday.

Video footage shows Mr Mckinnon leaving the hospital on Thursday with family, friends and neighbours were seen clapping him upon returning to his Ferniehill home, and a ‘welcome home’ sign was displayed on his living room wall.

Among those welcoming Mr Mckinnon back home were his daughter, Sandra Brown, his son Barry Mckinnon and his grandchildren, Lauren and Emma Brown and Ellie, Amy and Caleb Mckinnon.

The family were unable to visit Mr Mckinnon in hospital due to the current social distancing restrictions but a staff member managed to safely get a mobile phone to him so they could keep in touch.

Photographs of his late wife, Joyce Mckinnon, and his grandchildren were also sent to the ward to keep his spirits up during his treatment.

Duncan with son Barry and daughter Sandra.

Miss Brown, 23, who lives on the same street as her grandad, added: “He is home now and is doing amazingly well. He’s still struggling for breath a bit but he’s on the road to recovery.”

Miss Brown said her grandad worked as a mechanic engineer for 45 years, and described him as a “positive strong person” who likes a drink at the Gilmerton Bowling Club where he socialises with his friends.