Gemma Collins has admitted her 73-year-old father Alan isn’t ‘the same man’ after suffering from ‘long coronavirus’.
In a new interview, the former TOWIE star, 40, admitted to being distressed by her parent’s health troubles, after he was previously diagnosed with coronavirus and spent time in hospital.
‘He’s got long COVID. He’s not the same man he was before he went into hospital’, the media personality confessed.
‘It’s really distressing’: Gemma Collins has admitted her 73-year-old father Alan isn’t ‘the same man’ after suffering from ‘long coronavirus’ (pictured together with mum Joan)
The reality star, whose mother also suffered from coronavirus, detailed her dad’s current condition to new! magazine, sharing: ‘He’s very tired, he gets weak, he gets out of breath and still coughs a lot.
‘It’s really distressing, but we’re just so grateful that he’s alive and hope he will come through the long COVID soon.’
Scientists claim seven in 10 patients hospitalised by coronavirus still suffer debilitating ‘long Covid’ symptoms five months after being discharged.
Research laying bare the toll of the condition revealed survivors were plagued with problems including breathlessness, fatigue and muscle pain.
‘We’re just so grateful that he’s alive’: In a new interview, the former TOWIE star, 40, admitted to being distressed by her parent’s health troubles after he was admitted to hospital
‘He still coughs a lot’: The reality star, whose mother also suffered from coronavirus, detailed her dad’s current condition
Candid: ‘He’s got long COVID. He’s not the same man he was before he went into hospital’, the media personality confessed
University of Leicester experts, who quizzed 1,077 long-haulers, found two in five had reduced their workload or were off sick because of their persistent symptoms.
They also found evidence of organ damage in sufferers, and that those who required mechanical ventilation took longer to recover from long Covid.
Separate data from Glasgow University released today further highlighted the plight of long Covid victims, saying women under-50 were worst affected.
Professor Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, claimed the studies added to knowledge of long Covid, which is still surrounded in mystery.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was ‘determined’ to improve care for Britons suffering the ‘lasting and debilitating’ impacts of Covid — which is estimated to have infected around 15million people in the UK.
The TV star previously shared an update on Alan’s health after uploading a video of him wearing an oxygen mask and struggling to speak.
Gemma revealed: ‘He has long Covid so every day is a step in the right direction his mental strength is unreal and he’s determined to get back to his best!!
‘I did have to tell him off this week when I found out he sneaked into work!!’
In January, Gemma revealed her dad’s recovery from COVID-19 was the ‘biggest gift of all’.
‘He’s determined to get back to his best’: The TV star previously shared an update on Alan’s health after uploading a video of him wearing an oxygen mask and struggling to speak
The influencer didn’t sleep for days as her beloved dad battled the novel coronavirus in hospital.
She said: ‘My dad was really unwell – you can see how tired I am. I literally haven’t slept. Because he was in hospital I was just so worried all the time.
‘It’s only really now that I’m catching up on my sleep,’ she continued, before revealing: ‘He’s out of hospital, I don’t need to worry. It’s only really now he’s home I can start getting everything back together again.
‘I couldn’t ask for any more. I turn 40 on Sunday. Yes, I’ve got bags under my eyes but my dad is alive. I’m able to eat a piece of cake with him.’
‘Bless him’: In January, Gemma revealed her dad’s recovery from COVID-19 was the ‘biggest gift of all’