A FATHER has spoken of his near-death experience due to coronavirus – with one doctor telling him it was “touch and go” when he was in intensive care in Poole Hospital.

Alex Ruzyllo from Poole had been self-isolating at home in late March after contracting symptoms of a continuous cough and temperature.

The 49-year-old customer advisor’s condition deteriorated and he was rushed to hospital by ambulance.

The severity of the situation was such that he was admitted into the intensive care unit where he remained for 10 days.

His health has now improved and while he remains in hospital, Mr Ruzyllo is on the road to recovery.

He told the Daily Echo without the NHS staff he would not be alive today.

“I caught the virus on March 23,” said Mr Ruzyllo. “My symptoms started with a continuous cough, then a continuous temperature and then a few days later loss of appetite and sense of smell.

“I self-isolated from that day until April 1. By then I was too sick to carry on, so I phoned for an ambulance.

“Within 20 minutes of being at hospital I was told one lung had pneumonia and the other the virus.

“Straightaway I was put in the intensive care unit.

“I was put there for 10 days before going to a ward. I remember one of the doctors telling me it was touch and go from the time I came in. I normally hide my emotions but I did have a tear run down my face.”

A doctor spoke to Mr Ruzyllo’s partner on the phone to update her on his health before he spoke to his wife and 11-year-old daughter for the first time since he had been taken to hospital.

He said: “I heard my wife and child for the first time in 10 days. I have must have been on the phone for seven seconds before hanging up and bursting into tears. I could not talk all that time as I was wearing an oxygen mask.

“The emotion of what was happening was too much. Without the help of the doctors and nurses from Poole Hospital, I don’t think I would be here today.

“I would like to say a big thank you the NHS nurses and doctors who got me through this and for saving my life.”

Mr Ruzyllo, who has lost two stone since contracting the virus, said when he is discharged from hospital he will still be weak, especially his lungs, but “time is a great healer”.

He added: “The impact of the virus is emotionally as you cannot see your family and it is mentally and physically draining.

“I have lost two stone fighting this virus. There are continuous thoughts going through your head as the chap next to you on a ventilator.

“The words I would give anyone would be to listen to the advice given, stay at a distance and be cautious.”