Sunderland mum, 62, beats coronavirus after courageous fight for her life in hospital

Marion Jolliff, 62, has been in a coma at South Tyneside District Hospital since early March after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

The Pennywell mum was taken to hospital struggling to breathe and was placed in a induced coma, with medics confirming she had tested positive for the illness on Sunday, March 8.

Since then the family have been unable to see Marion, relying on daily calls from the hospital for updates on her condition.

But the news they have been praying for finally came this week when medics told them that Marion had tested negative for coronavirus after nearly a three week battle.

Although still relying on a ventilator, the mum has now been fitted with a tracheostomy tube in her throat to aid her breathing independently.

She is now out of the coma, but remains sedated and is now facing a long road back to health having overcome the illness.

Son Alen Jolliff, said the family were so happy to find out the news and said that it has been a ‘horrendous time.’

He said: “We have had the good news that mam has tested negative for coronavirus.

“It looks like she has done it, she has beaten it.

“She is not being treated for coronavirus now and has had a tube inserted in her throat to make it easier for her to breathe, although she is still on the ventilator.

“We are chuffed to bits that she is not being treated for coronavirus.

“It’s looking positive.”

The family still have no idea how Marion – who was the first person in the city to be diagnosed with COVID-19 – contracted the illness and accept that they will ‘probably never know’.

But now they are celebrating the incredible milestone on Marion’s road to recovery.

Alen continued: “Its been a horrendous two weeks.

“But the nurses have now confirmed that mam is not positive for coronavirus and its a case of building her muscles back up.

“She has turned the corner and we are all so happy.”