Hospital staff applaud first coronavirus patient to leave intensive care ward

A 60-year-old man has become the first coronavirus patient to leave the intensive care ward of a hospital in South Wales.

Jeff Morgan, from Merthyr Tydfil, was applauded by staff at Prince Charles Hospital in his hometown on Thursday morning in a video posted online.

The clip shows around 20 hospital staff in full PPE standing and clapping as Mr Morgan, who is also wearing a face mask, is wheeled out of the ITU ward on his bed.

One staff member appears to present him his wedding ring which he allows to be put on before giving a thumbs up to clinicians who line the corridor.

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, who posted the video clip, said Mr Morgan came to the hospital on April 3 before he was admitted to ITU five days later on April 8 and ventilated.

The health board commented on the clip: “Our first Covid patient out of ITU at Prince Charles Hospital today.

“Our multidisciplinary team at PCH are clapping their first patient out of ITU and returning to the ward. Great time work! Well done all!”

The health board has so far had 1,046 confirmed Covid-19 cases.