Coronavirus: Pastor with health issues tells how he survived Covid-19 – and gives message of hope

Paul Eagleson, pastor of Dromore Elim Church in Co Down, self isolated at home after coming down with what he suspected was the virus.

His experience is a positive one in that despite having a number of underlying health conditions at age 54, he managed to weather several days of fever and is now back to 100%.

Paul has a hole in the heart, a leaking valve and mild asthma but is in otherwise good health. However he was not tested as he did not judge his underlying conditions or symptoms serious enough to call the GP.

“On Tuesday last week I started to get flu like symptoms, a headache and aches and pains in the body,” he told the News Letter.

”Then on Thursday night that developed into an extreme temperature, shivering and being rigid. I was feeling absolutely cold, yet absolutely roasting at the same time.

“I don’t really remember feeling anything quite as bad before. This was unique - teeth-chattering, nearly uncontrollable shivering during the night.” He had only a slight non persistent cough and rode it out with paracetoml and fluids, isolating in one room and wiping the bathroom down with bleach after using it.

He wonders if more widespread testing would be helpful in allowing people, particularly key workers, to return to work more quickly if they test negative.
Speaking as a pastor, he is also aware of widespread anxiety and questions about whether the virus might be linked to prophecy.

“Based on what we read in the bible these things are going to happen more frequently as we look towards the ‘end time’ ” he said.

“But the important thing at the moment is for us to be the church and be out there showing God’s love. We have a hope and we want to share that, but we also want to ensure people are looked after in our church and in the community.”

He was particularly struck by a social media post which presented the people of the world complaining to God that the virus was disrupting their lives, but God was replying that they were too busy and too focussed on achievement and that he wanted them to get to know Him and their own families.

“It particularly struck me that for so long the world has pushed God away, but in this conversation we saw people speaking to God and asking Him questions.

“Its important to recognise that God is there and this has not taken Him by surprise, obviously. He knew this was going to happen. I believe this is an opportunity for people to realise that sometimes we need to get our eyes off what we think is important and realise that ultimately the most important thing is having a relationship with God.”