London coronavirus: Inspirational cystic fibrosis sufferer overcomes Covid-19 and says: ‘We can beat this’ – MyLondon

A brave young coronavirus survivor who defied the odds to overcome the virus has sent an inspirational message to other Londoners.

Daniel James-Lacey McInerney, from Camden Town, feared for his life after he tested positive for Covid-19 due to him suffering with cystic fibrosis, a chronic lung condition which affects breathing.

But the 21-year-old battled the virus at St Bartholomew's Hospital for nearly two weeks and is now at home recovering.

Daniel now wants to send a message of hope to the estimated three million people living in the UK with lung disease.

He told the Daily Express: "I know the 'at risk' vulnerable people in the UK are scared of what is going on but I want to give them some hope.

"I have no idea at all how I caught coronavirus, where I caught it or why, but I have faced it and fought it off.

"If someone with lungs working at only 25 per cent, weakened by cystic fibrosis can shake off Covid-19 I feel confident many more people can."

Daniel, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when he was aged four, contacted doctors on March 5 after feeling run-down and chesty.

He was already self-isolating at home and managed to get a bed at St Bartholomew's Hospital on March 9.

The following day, he woke up with severe flu symptoms.

"I woke up with a fever, sore throat, and a headache all at once, in the matter of one day - which is pretty bizarre for me," Daniel said.

"Yet when my swab test came back for normal flu. I was still confined to my room but told I could go home soon as it was normal flu.

"But that night they swabbed me for Covid-19 and on Thursday I felt really pretty bad and flu-like."

On March 13, a nurse entered Daniel's room with a mask on, along with a hazmat suit.

He was told he had tested positive for coronavirus - news which left him "terrified".

He said: "When the nurses told me I had coronavirus I knew I was in trouble and panicked and thought 'Am I going to die'?

"I felt pretty bad and flu-like, I had a fever, sore throat, and a headache all at once which I knew was unusual for me."

He added: "I had been reading already that having CF meant I was one of those most susceptible and likely to die."

Due to Daniel's condition, there were fears he might not beat the virus. Around two years ago, the student's health deteriorated rapidly and his steady 60 per cent lung function plunged to 25-30 per cent.

This has mainly been caused by a nasty bacteria in his lungs called Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (or NTM) which is almost impossible to ever shift. Now Daniel is almost constantly needing oxygen, although starting Vertex's Symkevi drug in January.

Daniel was moved into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to await to see if his symptoms worsened.

He said: "The next few days got a lot better - I felt less flu-like but when we tested on March 16 I was still positive for coronavirus.

"In the room next to me in the ICU, I could hear an elderly man in his 70s on a ventilator due to Covid-19. It broke my heart.

"I had survivors' guilt and requested to be moved from the ICU as others worse off than me needed them."

Sections of the hospital were cordoned off as he was taken home in a special ambulance being used in London just for coronavirus patients. Daniel then went into quarantine until he finally tested negative last Monday (March 23).

He said: "Have faith that our immune system does work. Be positive and have people you can rely on.

"I really hope there will be more recovering cases - this isn't an apocalyptic pandemic but it is serious, so just be safe."

He added: "Now I want to spread some hope. If diagnosed, take your time and don't think the worst."

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London coronavirus: Inspirational cystic fibrosis sufferer overcomes Covid-19 and says: 'We can beat this' - MyLondon