Elderly patient in viral image is better
The condition of an 87-year-old COVID-19 patient who was pictured watching the sunset on a hospital bed with his doctor standing alongside has improved, Shanghai’s Zhongshan Hospital said on Thursday.
The man can get up now, and a recent test was negative while a CT scan showed his lungs had improved, the hospital said.
The patient gave a thumbs up to medical staff. “I want to express my gratitude for the treatment and care I received from the hospital staff that has helped me attain such a fast recovery. After I fully recover, I want to play my violin and hope they can go back home safe and sound as soon as possible.”
The picture has gone viral on social media as one of the most heartwarming of the year.
The doctor in the picture is Liu Kai, 27, who was sent to Wuhan, epicenter of the outbreak, from Zhongshan Hospital to join the battle against the virus.
On March 5, he and volunteer worker Gan Junchao wheeled the seriously ill patient who had been hospitalized for about a month to take a CT scan at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University (east branch) in Wuhan.
The doctor noticed the sunset as they returned to the ward and suggested they pause to enjoy it. The patient said okay and the volunteer took the picture of old and young bathed in golden light.
Zhongshan Hospital hung a gigantic poster of the picture on an exterior wall of the hospital on Thursday to inspire its medical workers.