It’s been a rollercoaster admits granddaughter as couple in 80s win remarkable coronavirus battle

Mina Dougan, 80, and her husband John, 81, both contracted the deadly virus last month but, after sharing their 60th wedding anniversary through a video-call from hospital, they are now back together at home in Rathfriland, Co Down.

Granddaughter Charlotte Loughlin, 29, contacted the News Letter to pay tribute to the care workers, volunteers and hospital staff who helped her grandparents beat the virus.

She described a “rollercoaster of emotions” for the family after her grandfather John was taken to hospital.

“Everyone has just went above and beyond,” she said. “It’s been awful but everyone has been wonderful.

“It was actually on Mother’s Day that granny started coughing and just not feeling right. On the Monday she rang the 111 NHS number and they told her to isolate, and to isolate away from granda.

“That was very difficult. She was on her own because none of us could go near her.

“On the Tuesday, she had phoned and said she had felt worse that morning. And granda had developed this cough overnight. At that stage we phoned their GP. The GP assessed her over the phone and she was advised to stay at home.

“She described it as the worst weakness she ever felt. It wasn’t nice to hear - the coughing and the shortness of breath - when you were speaking to them over the phone.

“At that stage the carers upped their protection and continued to come in. And it was amazing what they were doing. They went above and beyond. They were caring for granny as well at that stage - even though they were only really there for granda. They were just amazing.”

John Dougan was admitted to hospital on April 3 and tested positive for the virus the following day.

He was deemed too unwell for intensive care and was instead given oxygen and continuous positive airway pressure (C-PAP) on ward 2 north at Craigavon Area Hospital.

By Good Friday, things were not looking good and the family were invited to send someone to share what looked like Mr Dougan’s final hours.

“It wasn’t easy hearing that news,” granddaughter Charlotte said. “But they called again and said he was improving. It has been such a rollercoaster.”

She continued: “Last Saturday was their 60th Wedding anniversary. When my granda requested a phone call the staff said they would go one step further and arrange a video call. Nothing for them was too much bother.”

She added: “We are so happy he is back home.”