Good Morning Britain’s Kate Garraway has given a deeply personal insight into what her family has been through over the last year.
Her husband Derek Draper, 53, has been in intensive care for over a year following his positive coronavirus test in March 2020.
He is thought to be one of the longest-surviving in-patients to suffer from Covid-19.
Author and political advisor Derek was placed in a medically-induced coma, and has been in the hospital ever since. Kate, also 53, said she hasn’t been able to visit him since Christmas.
Now Kate Garraway: Finding Derek, which aired on ITV at 9pm on Tuesday, laid bare the family’s journey, but also explored the Covid-19 pandemic in general and the impact it’s had on families and victims.
But how is Derek now? Here are the latest health updates as he continues to battle the effects of Covid.
How is Derek Draper now?
Derek is still thought to be in a “state of minimal consciousness” after emerging from a deeper coma last year.
Kate explained on The One Show: “Derek is an extreme case. What he had is what is called a prolonged disorder of consciousness which means that there is some reaction.
“He is somebody who both in this time before I knew him when he was in politics and also since in all the work he has done in mental health because that’s his thing now.
“His brain has always been his best friend and he’s lived on his wit and now suddenly his brain – as we all know controls his body – is no longer his friend and he’s fighting to get out.”
Kate explained that he can “open his eyes” and before Christmas there was “a lot of progress with words and communication”.
He no longer tests positive for coronavirus, but it has left him with severe damage.
The former Labour Party advisor is still in intensive care, and has suffered kidney failure, liver damage, and pancreas and heart failure.
He also has lung issues and holes in his heart.
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According to Kate, her husband has been left emaciated and immobile.
Speaking to The Mirror, she explained: “He was changed. Derek is physically very affected.
“His legs are like sticks, he has no muscle left. In terms of his movement, he’s physically affected.”
Kate also told the publication that Derek has lost eight stone since last year.
(Image: ITV)
Derek was first taken to hospital on March 30 after becoming seriously ill with coronavirus.
Four days later he was admitted to intensive care, and put into a medically induced coma.
Kate Garraway: Finding Derek, airs on March 23 at 9pm on ITV.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
