Watch 77-year-old Leeds man applauded out of hospital after losing brother to Covid-19

Don Gill, from Beeston, was admitted to St James's Hospital with his brother Keith, 78, on March 31 after they both showed Covid-19 symptoms.

Sadly, Keith died from the virus after just five days in hospital, leaving Don fighting for his life in the intensive care unit.

Despite being told he might also die from the condition, Don slowly started to recover.

He left intensive care and was transferred to ward J09 in time for his 77th birthday, where he celebrated with a cake and cards.

Don has praised the NHS staff who 'brought him back from the brink' and helped him to keep fighting the virus.

A heartwarming video shows the moment Don finally left hospital on May 4 to a 'clap of honour' from doctors and nurses.

Don, a retired civil servant, said: "I had a telephone call from the family after Keith’s death to tell me to keep fighting.

“I didn’t know how I was going to overcome it – I felt sure I was going to die. The treatment I got from the team was fantastic and they brought me back from the brink.

“Prior to going onto the ward I can’t remember anything but I then recall starting to eat.

"It was a blow losing Keith, but after that I slowly started recovering. I want to say a big thank you to all the staff for what they did for me.”

Senior Sister, Faye Johnson, who is ward manager on J09 at St James’s Hospital, Leeds, said the team were 'very proud' of Don.

She said: “We do need to remember what a traumatic experience it is for patients too at a time when they haven’t got their loved ones with them.

"In Don’s case to also lose his brother while they were both on the same ward was very hard. He was very ill and has done so well to pull through and we’re all very proud of him.”

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