A GRATEFUL daughter from Workington has thanked the NHS for nursing her mother back to health when she contracted Covid-19.

Grandmother to two, Angela Williams, 53, visited Workington Community Hospital in April with mild symptoms such as soreness and headaches. She was referred to the West Cumberland Hospital where she tested positive for coronavirus.

Angela’s daughter Danielle said: “Her Co2 was low so she went by ambulance.

“She was self isolating already because she had the odd cough."

Despite having mild symptoms initially, her condition deteriorated quickly and Angela was admitted to the intensive care unit.

Danielle said: “The doctor said if she didn't fight this we’re going to lose her."

Danielle described the fear of seeing her mother admitted to intensive care but she called her recovery “a success story”.

“I was absolutely petrified," she said. "I wouldn’t want anyone else to have to go through that. She said her goodbyes, which was absolutely heartbreaking. It’s the unexpected as well, it was just like a whirlwind.”

Angela was in the care of West Cumberland Hospital for three weeks and was able to return home on Monday May 18.

“You just don’t know how to show gratitude," said Danielle. "I’ll be forever grateful, I’ll never forget that.”

Danielle praised paramedics, A&E and intensive care staff as well as doctors at Workington Community Hospital. She said: "The hospital was brilliant, from everyone she saw. The staff were brilliant in intensive care, they even found a tablet so we could Face Time with her.”

Angela’s neighbours in Fairfield clapped from their doorsteps as she returned home.

Danielle said: “I’m just thankful that she came home.

“When she came home on Monday I said a little thank you to the nurses at West Cumberland Hospital. The nurses said it’s always great to see people going home.”

Danielle added she hoped her mother’s story lifted the spirits of others with family members fighting the coronavirus.