A DOCTOR has revealed why Kate Garraway’s husband is so ill with Covid – and why his plight is so important.
Derek Draper (56), who contracted Covid 2020, suffered a massive heart attack last Monday.
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Derek contracted Covid 2020
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Kate supported her husband in his health problems
Brave Kate has canceled all TV and radio work to keep vigil 24/7, taking indefinite leave from presenting.
Derek was first rushed to hospital with Covid in March 2020.
After falling into a coma and being put on a ventilator, he spent 13 months in hospital, making him Britain’s longest-living victim of the coronavirus.
Since then, he has struggled with various health problems. The virus caused inflammation of the brain, kidney failure and damage to the liver and pancreas.
Now Dr Gareth Nye, lecturer in physiology at Chester Medical School, has revealed exactly why his condition is so serious.
Speaking to the Mirror, he said: “After any Covid infection, regardless of hospitalization or treatment, your risk of a cardiovascular event (eg heart attack or stroke) in the next 12 months is significantly higher.
“Long-term lung problems can also be seen due to damage from infection along with long-term changes to your immune system, leading to an increased risk of autoimmune disease (over 40 percent more likely).”
Derek — whose days were mostly filled with meetings, trips to the hospital and sleep — was the subject of two critically acclaimed documentaries fronted by Kate.
In them, she was shown to survive on about four hours of sleep, often getting up every two hours to help the carer move Derek.
dr. Nye continued: “Derek was a difficult case and his journey was so important to follow. Derek will undoubtedly have multiple long-term health conditions following his specific response to the Covid infection, as well as the procedures used to try and save him such as ventilation.
“We know that the Covid virus affects the cardiovascular system and increases the risk of clots that can lead to heart attacks and organ failure. Its onset is certainly not isolated, but it remains quite unusual compared to the large number of people who have been infected with the virus, even Multiple times.”
Family and friends say Derek was “looking forward to Christmas at home with his family.”
But now Kate is forced to prepare their children for a less cheerful holiday season.
A source told The Sun: “This setback has been a huge blow to his family and all the people who care about him.
“Kate is with him 24 hours a day and wants him to win this latest battle for his life.
“Derek has fought so many times, and always, against all odds, he’s come out on the other side.
“Kate was absolutely amazing – by his side as she was a great mum to Darcey and Billy and tried to live up to their expectations of a family Christmas.”
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Source: HIS Education