Gregg Garfield contracted the coronavirus while on vacation. The American with no previous illnesses survived Covid-19 - but lost almost all of his fingers.
- Corona infection in a US citizen causes a dramatic course of Covid-19 * .
- The Californian suffers multi-organ failure , although he has no known pre-existing conditions .
- Gregg Garfield survives badly drawn - but pays a heavy price.
At the end of February 2020, Gregg Garfield spent his skiing holiday with friends in Val Gardena in northern Italy . All of a sudden he felt uncomfortable and complained of strong signs of flu. Because of his symptoms , his girlfriend drew the 54-year-old's attention to the fact that there was a new virus in northern Italy that had already infected many people. Garfield became suspicious - and began to suspect that he was infected with the novel corona virus.
He should be right. An investigation in Studio City, California confirmed his fears. Like his twelve companions, Garfield also tested positive for Corona . But his resulting Covid 19 disease took a dramatic course . His health deteriorated so quickly that he was soon hospitalized. And that although the Californian did not have any previous illnesses .
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The consequences of the corona infection almost kill men without previous illnesses
He stayed there for a total of 64 days . His physical condition was so critical in 31 of them that doctors at the Providence Saint Joseph Mecial Center in Burbank had to put him on a ventilator . New complications occurred almost every day, and the corona infection gradually damaged more and more organs . Garfield struggled with pulmonary embolism, kidney failure, liver damage, and sepsis. His situation quickly became extremely life threatening . At times the doctors only gave him a single percent chance of survival .
Because the American was massively undersupplied with oxygen , his limbs first turned dark, then black. His fingers and toes died . Doctors had to amputate Garfield's left hand fingers from the metacarpal bone . They were able to save 95 percent of his thumb. It looked even worse on his right hand. The entire upper part of the thumb had to be removed here.
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Garfield does not give up and survives - despite the chance of only one percent
Garfield finally survived the terrible Covid disease . Against all expectations of his doctors. One of the neurologists said to him, “ Gregg, you are a miracle . Medically, you shouldn't be here anymore. But you made it. ”At the Saint Joseph Mecial Center, his surprising recovery was cause for great joy: As the Kölner Express writes, the Californian was said goodbye to the entire hospital on the day of his discharge and was celebrated enthusiastically.
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Garfield sincerely hopes that his fate will serve as a warning to potential corona deniers : “I had no previous illnesses. I've ridden mountain biking, skiing, playing golf, always doing a lot of sport - but in the end it can happen to anyone . Therefore: wear a mask and take care of yourself “, appeals Gregg Garfield urgently to everyone. Especially to those who don't take the pandemic too seriously. (cs) * Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editorial network.
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