Kate Garraway 'given huge hope' by hearing coronavirus survivors' stories, says Piers Morgan

Garraway's husband Derek Draper remains in an intensive care unit battling Covid-19
George Fenwick20 May 2020
The Weekender

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Piers Morgan has said his colleague Kate Garraway feels “hope” when she hears stories of patients who have survived being in intensive care with Covid-19, as her husband continues to fight the virus.

Garraway’s husband Derek Draper has been fighting Covid-19 for seven weeks, with the Good Morning Britain presenter taking time off work to care for him and their family.

Speaking to a woman named Jo on GMB who had survived the virus, Morgan said Garraway would be reassured by her story of recovery.

“One of our colleagues, Kate Garraway, her husband’s been very critically ill now for a long period of time,” he told Jo’s doctor Dr Wimbush.

“These sort of stories, I have to say, I think give Kate huge hope when she hears them and sees them, because you know she’s been in this very position that Clive [Jo’s husband] was in where you can’t see your loved one, you have to just muddle through I guess.”

Kate Garraway with husband Derek Draper
PA

He continued: “Dr Wimbush, one of the hardest things about this is that there’s no usual personal contact either between loved ones and their own family, as they are in critical condition fighting for their lives.

“They can’t go and see them. And you as the staff, trying to save them, you can’t connect with the families in the way that you would like to. It’s all very disconnected, isn’t it.”

Dr Wimbush explained that it was difficult to build a relationship with the patient as they had to wear full PPE to treat Jo, and that she may not remember much of her time in hospital.

“It is very disconnected, and it applies to our connection with the patient as well," he said.

"Other than the fact that Jo was desperately ill and may not remember a lot about her time in intensive care, she wouldn’t recognise us because we had been dressed in full aprons and masks and gloves and visors. And that makes it very difficult for us to connect with the patient."

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Speaking over video link from her couch, Jo thanked Dr Wimbush and other NHS staff who saved her life.

“Although I don’t remember everything that happened, I do remember on several occasions waking up, somebody holding my hand, reassuring me that I was safe, and I always felt safe and looked after,” she said.

“The staff were just amazing and I know they looked after Clive amazingly well as well, keeping him informed every day.”

Draper is reportedly still in an intensive care unit, while Garraway is in “living hell” while he fights the virus, Morgan shared.

“Her husband Derek has been in serious condition for many weeks, we can all just hope and pray he comes through it,” he said.

Morgan continued: "It has been very difficult for her and her family."

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.

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