WATCH: NI man forced to learn to walk and eat again after spending 45 days in ICU in COVID-19 battle

Colin Price, 56, was admitted to hospital last November “following an allergic reaction to an antibiotic for a chill in my kidneys”.

It later emerged he had COVID-19.

Colin, who by this stage has spent more than 50 days in hospital - 45 of which were in ICU - is appealing for the public to adhere to the guidance.

“Wise up, mask up, sanitise, social distance and stay at home unless it’s essential,” he said.

Mr Price said that now he is “off the ventilator and out of ICU” he is “learning how to walk and eat again”.

But he said in spite of all the difficulties “one of the worst things was learning that my family were called in to say their goodbyes while I was in ICU”.

In a short video Mr Price reveals his ongoing battle with Coronavirus.

In the video he says: “I have been off the ventilator now for a couple of days and things are hopefully going well.

“I had a tube in my throat which is why I sounded a wee bit funny at first. I am just after dialysis and I am really well wrapped up.

“A quick rundown - my lungs are working well though not fully recovered and it will take time, my heart is okay and liver function is 100 per cent, but unfortunately my kidneys haven’t kicked in and is the reason I am getting some dialysis.

“I have had loads of injections - I have more train tracks than an entire series of Train Spotting.

“I would like to say to those who have texted, messaged, phoned, to those who have prayed thank you very, very much.

“I really do appreciate it.

“People think that the power of prayer doesn’t work, I am not particularly religious, but I think I only pulled through because I knew so many people were rooting for me.

“Hopefully the tube in my nose will be out and I can start eating solid food again. I am drinking fluids.

“My motor muscles - if that is the right term - basically I have no muscle control and I am very. very weak.

“I have the strength of a six-month-old baby at the moment.

“I am in good spirits which is the main thing. I have problems with my hands which is why I am not acknowledging people’s comments.

“If you have sent it I have seen it. But I am working to get my hands sorted.

“There is talk of moving (to another hospital for the next stage of my treatment) but I will walk out. I will walk out.”

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