Grandmother who was first person to be diagnosed with coronavirus in Sunderland is home after being discharged from hospital

Marion Jolliff, 62, from Pennywell, was in a coma for more than a fortnight after she was rushed to South Tyneside District Hospital in early March.

Her family were unable to visit her after she tested positive for coronavirus and had to rely on telephone updates from the hospital.

The grandmother came out her coma around a fortnight ago and was allowed home on Tuesday after a month in hospital.

Son Alen Jolliff, 43, told the Echo on Wednesday night: “When I heard she was coming home I could not believe it. I was gobsmacked.

“She has improved a lot in the last few days although she still has a long way to go now she is at home.

“We are just grateful to have her back. To be honest, when it all happened I never thought I would ever see her again.”

Alen confesses that his mother’s return home, where she is being looked after by her husband, Alen senior, 65, is a “bittersweet experience” for the family.

For while Marion was gradually recovering, her brother, Joe Jenkins, 65, of Ford Estate, lost his own battle against coronavirus at Sunderland Royal Hospital on April 1.

Alen junior said: “I am happy for my mam but we have to think of our cousins and all their family. It is a bittersweet experience for us all at the moment.”

Dad-of-six Joe, described by his family as a "true gent”, was rushed into hospital on March 30 after showing symptoms of Covid-19 and died just two days later.

He had developed a cough while on holiday in Spain for his 40th wedding anniversary with wife Eva and his condition worsened when he returned home.

Joe is one of 89 people to have died from coronavirus in the Sunderland and South Tyneside NHS Trust area since the pandemic’s outbreak.

Alen junior thanked everyone for messages of support to the entire family and added: “It is good to have my mam home. She can talk but she is not too mobile just yet.”

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