‘Young people are not invincible’ - Covid survivor

John Paul Fahy, a classroom assistant at a local school and a football referee, ended up in hospital a week after he got the positive test result.

He required oxygen for a number of days while in the Covid ward and said that it was a ‘scary’ experience.

“I was shocked that I needed oxygen. I am in my 20s and I’m fairly fit. I have run the London and Derry marathons, half marathons and run four or five miles a couple of times a week.

“I didn’t know if I was going to respond to the oxygen and the treatment. I tried to remain positive and think about all the people I know of who were in hospital with Covid and came out but all I could think about was all the negative stories.”

John Paul has urged other young people “who think they’re untouchable, think covid is fake or think the upcoming lockdown is a joke, please think again”.

“Everyone is fed up with being locked down,” he said. “We can all make a difference and stop any future lockdowns if we stick to the guidance. Wear a mask (if you can), keep your distance and wash your hands or use hand sanitiser.”

The lifelong Derry City FC fan has also pleaded with people to be particularly careful in the run up to Christmas and to stick to their bubbles.

“We all need to think not only of ourselves, but also of others. It is not just the old and the vulnerable who can catch Covid and be really unwell. Young people are not invincible.”

John Paul said he is still not 100 per cent well two weeks after he was discharged from hospital.

He said he is ‘getting there day by day’ but still tires very easily and has a lingering cough, symptoms he has been told to expect to remain for another couple of weeks.

John Paul tested positive after having early symptoms of a cough and a temperature.

“I had developed a cough and I thought it was just a cold or flu, because I would normally get one around this time of year. I thought nothing of it. But a couple of days later I developed a fever, I was sent home from work and my line manager advised me to get a test.

“The first couple of days after the positive result, I felt really down but didn’t have any really worrying symptoms until the following weekend.”

John Paul said he ‘really started to feel it’ at this stage, had stopped eating and was having severe stomach problems.

“I phoned the doctor to see if I could get anything for my stomach and he recognised that I couldn’t hold a conversation with him without getting breathless.”

John Paul was referred to the Covid Centre and then admitted to hospital, where he remained for a number of days. He said he was ‘shocked’ he ended up in hospital so unwell.

“Right up until early November I was out running four or five miles a couple of nights a week to keep myself fit. I eat well, have never smoked, only drink occasionally and have no underlying health conditions. I didn’t think I would end up in hospital, but as the first week went on my breathing wasn’t right.”

He said he is annoyed by some people suggesting that only the old and vulnerable should face lockdown and has urged everyone to take the restrictions seriously.

“It’s not just the vulnerable who can contract this virus, it’s not just the vulnerable who can end up in hospital.”

The Shantallow man’s parents also tested positive for Covid and his mum ended up being admitted to hospital two days after him.

“My mum would be vulnerable to Covid-19 as she has underlying health conditions. The same doctors were treating us and they told her that she was bad, but my lungs were worse.

“I needed four litres of oxygen when I was admitted. Once I got started on the treatment I started to improve and within 24 hours I knew I was on the right path.”

John Paul wants people to realise that Covid is ‘not just a flu’.

“Some people can deal with it like a flu, but it really gets a hold of your lungs and it doesn’t let go. We need to be mindful of others. It’s not just old and vulnerable people who catch Covid. Anyone can get it.

“I have seen so many people round my age saying they wouldn’t get it and if they did they would shake it off. That is why I decided to share a post on social media about my experience, so people my age realise they are not invincible, this could happen to them too.”

John Paul paid tribute to his GP practice and all the doctors, nurses and auxiliary staff in the Covid ward.

“They were absolutely tremendous and I wish them all the best for the rest of this pandemic. Hopefully it is not too long before we are back to a bit of normality.”