'NEVER RECOVERED'
Dad, 47, who survived 60 days in hospital with coronavirus dies just weeks later after suffering ‘long Covid’
A CORONAVIRUS survivor applauded by staff when leaving intensive care after 60 days has died just months later.
Dad-of-one Roehl Ribaya survived 48 days on a ventilator at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and a further 12 on the ward before being discharged on August 14.
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But the Filipino aerospace engineer, 47, never fully recovered from his symptoms, and died two days after suffering a cardiac arrest on October 13.
The secondary cause of death given was post-Covid pulmonary fibrosis - otherwise known as a symptom of "Long Covid".
His widow, nurse Stella Ricio-Ribaya who lives in St Annes in Lancashire, told the BBC: “He was never the same. He was so breathless all the time.”
"Please follow the government's advice so we can stop this virus. We don't want any more to die."
It was previously reported that 60,000 Brits struck by ";Long Covid" have been ill for three months with some left in wheelchairs.
Angela, a close friend of the family, set up a GoFundMe page to support his family in their hour of need.
She said: “The war was far from over.
"Despite being declared COVID-free, he suffered the long term effects of the virus. His life never went back to normal.
"Breathing became difficult. There were many late nights of being rushed back to the hospital.”
"Covid-19 is a silent killer. It has stolen the lives of many fathers, mothers, children and friends.”
SYMPTOMS OF LONG COVID
There are 172 symptoms of long Covid according to Post Covid Syndrome Group founder, Claire Hastie. Here are some of the biggest examples:
1.Hairloss
2.High Temperature
3.Diarrhoea
4.Exhaustion
5.Chest Pain
6.Insomnia
7.Hallucinations
8.Covid toes
9.Chills
10.Disorientation
11.Cognitive problems
12.Breathing issues
13.Muscle or body aches
14.A heart rate of more than 100 beats a minute (Tachycardia)
15.Vomiting
16.Issues with your heart rate or its rhythm (Arrhythmia)
A study recently revealed that 75 per cent of patients admitted to hospital with the virus continued to suffer from ongoing issues.
National Institute for Health Research warns: “Health and social care services are not equipped to support people living with Covid19. Staff need better information and education on the ongoing effects.
Mr Ribaya had been given a round of applause from doctors and nurses when he was discharged from Blackpool hospital over the summer.
At the time, Dr Jason Cupitt said it was “amazing to be able to wave goodbye to our last Covid patient".
He said it showed we had “survived the first wave of this silent killer”.
Kevin McGee, Chief Executive of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, paid tribute to Mr Ribaya today.
He said: “We were extremely saddened to hear about the death of Roehl and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time."
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