Covid 19

[collareddove12]

My husband is still in hospital with the virus and now other problems, he has Cellulitis in both legs, he has had intermittent claudication for many years so knew his circulation wasn't good. Another problem is diarrhoea which calms then starts again, he contracted C Diff in there. He was on two lots of strong antibiotics for that and his legs and was told it was the toxins causing it.
I'm now concerned as they said he will probably be discharged today but he is still testing positive for Covid after 5 weeks. Any advice please would help.

[Sqad]

You certainly have a problem on your hands and it would seem that the hospital wants to get rid of him as soon as possible.
Still positive for C19 means that he will need to be quarantined for at least 2 weeks, perhaps longer. I do not k ow you on AB hence cannot comment on your medical history.
Surely you have had discussions with the hospital social team.
On my opinion given the facts provided he is not fit to be released.

[collareddove12]

Thank you. You have commented on my posts albeit years ago. I really am getting concerned about how to handle this. I haven't spoken to anyone apart from a doctor and occupational therapist and nurses when I ring each day.

[Sqad]

If just if you agree to him being released, then you will need a complete back up district nurses and carers.
You shouldn't have to cope with this situation and I would politely resist his discharge at this stage.

[KARL]

As Sqad points out you can resist plans for your husband's release and one way of doing so is to say you could not cope with his condition - there is a (perhaps still respected) principle that patients cannot simply be offloaded/dumped back into their accommodation/home without certainty that they will be able to look after themselves or be looked after by others.

Separately, ask if they have done an antibody test and how strong their (anti-body) presence is. I am aware that, where arrivals from abroad are routinely being tested (obviously not in the UK), the virus is found to be present in some individuals but in many of them there is a strong antibody presence and the "viral load" is low together with no display of symptoms. Such cases are deemed recovered and not infectious - they are classified as recovered and epidemiologically they are treated equal to the uninfected part of the population. If that description applies to your husband then, all other things being satisfactory, releasing your husband may be justified. However, I do understand your concern as some Covid patients are very slow to recover and a small percentage (of all ages, including asymptomatic cases) go on to develop long term ill effects.

[Sqad]

Karl your point is well taken whichever test was used in the hospital, he in his present state of immunity could still be infectious.

[collareddove12]

Luckily he wasn't discharged today, just hoping it stays that way for a while longer. His latest swab test was positive again (taken Sunday) result today.

[Sqad]

Feedback much appreciated.