Taxi driver woke up after battling coronavirus only to discover his mother died of the killer virus

A taxi driver woke up after 48 days in a coma battling coronavirus only to discover his mother had died of the killer virus.

Mohammed Azeem, 35, was told he had died three times while in a coma after he contracted the infection and spent over two months at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

But the good news that he had beaten the virus was met with tragedy after he was told that his mother had passed away while he was still unconscious.

Mohammed said: ‘When I came out of the coma and the nurses told me about my mum, it was devastating.

‘I wanted to see my dad and the rest of the family but because of infection risks I couldn’t; that was one of the hardest things.

‘But the nurses treated me like their family and were by my side day and night, supporting me and keeping me going and giving me a reason to get better. 

‘When they finally said I could go home, I couldn’t believe it and as I was leaving, I was crying and some of the nurses were crying.’

He added: ‘These people have saved my life. I still have a long road to recovery but each day I am feeling that bit stronger. I just want to say thank you to all those who helped me.’

Despite his heartbreak, Mohammed was given an emotional send off by the hospital staff who saved his life.

Colleagues from three wards at the hospital gathered to clap and cheer as Mohammed finally left the hospital last Sunday after 68 gruelling days.

Mohammed was brought into hospital suffering from the virus on April 14 and was initially taken to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where he needed to be put on a respirator.

He spent 48 days in a coma and eventually regained consciousness before being released but said he knew he was at ‘death’s door’.

Mohammed was given an emotional send off by the hospital staff who saved his life as colleagues from three wards gathered to clap and cheer as he left on Sunday

Mohammed, who works as a taxi driver in Bradford, West Yorkshire, said: ‘I don’t think the nurses could believe it when I finally came out of the coma and was able to talk to them and then stand up.

‘I know I was at death’s door and I couldn’t have got through this if it hadn’t been for the doctors and nurses and the physiotherapists. I haven’t the words to say just how grateful I am.’

Chief Nurse Karen Dawber said: ‘Of all our Covid inpatients, Mohammed has been with us the longest to date. He was extremely unwell and the staff and his family never gave up hope. His story has touched us all.

Bradford Royal Infirmary’s (file photo, pictured) Chief Nurse Karen Dawber said Mohammed has been with the hospital for the ‘longest to date’ out of all its Covid-19 patients

‘He has shown true fighting spirit and a real zest for life and we wish him all the very best for his continued recovery.

‘When we see a patient go home from hospital to their family, it gives the staff a real boost and brings home the difference they are making.’