Sunderland granddad gives thumbs up from hospital window after beating Covid-19 following two weeks in hospital

George McDermont gives a thumbs up from his hospital ward window after beating coronavirus. (Right) George with his eldest granddaughter Demi Lee and her partner Jack.

George McDermont from Town End Farm was admitted to Sunderland Royal Hospital on February 21 after testing positive for the coronavirus.

But the 62-year-old beat the disease and a heart-warming image captured by his daughter Suzanne shows him giving thumbs up from the hospital window a day before he was discharged on March 5.

George’s wife Jackie has said his hospitalisation was a “shock”, but the NHS staff ended up becoming like a second family to her husband.

George McDermont gives thumbs up from the hospital window after beating Covid/Photo: Suzanne McDermont

She said: “It was quite a shock really. He was doing really well up to the seventh day. We thought he’d fought it and conquered it.”

Jackie said: “When a loved one goes into hospital you always think of them as being alone, without family and friends. The NHS staff more than makes up for them.

"After three days, I knew George wasn’t alone. He had an adopted family and friends there looking after him. There are no words I can say that would warrant their good.”

She continued: "For the first three days the nurses and the doctor rang to reassure us. They were there for George. It could have gone either way, but you had confidence in them that it would turn out well. They’re lovely.

George with his eldest granddaughter Demi Lee and her partner Jack/Photo: Lynsey McDermont

“They end up being a second family.”

George has now returned home where he is continuing his recovery.

Jackie said: "He’s being well looked after and he is fine. I have no doubt he’ll go from strength to strength now.”