Tracy Brace was discharged from Queen’s Hospital yesterday (Thursday 23 April), and after fearing she wouldn’t make it following a two-week battle with Covid-19, she was most excited about cuddling her cat Rolo, and chatting to her two-year-old grandson Caleb on the phone.

Tracey, of Manor Square, Dagenham, was admitted after struggling to breathe following a visit to her local shop with husband David, 61.

At first, she thought she would need to go into intensive care; however, luckily Tracy improved enough to go onto a ward.

The 51-year-old said: “I was really scared I wouldn’t come out so I feel really lucky to be going home. I’ve really missed my family, however, the staff have been great.

“When I first came in I didn’t have a charger, which was upsetting as my phone was a way of keeping in touch with my family. So a nurse made sure she got one I could use. They’ve all been really reassuring and I wouldn’t be here without their help.”

Tracy, who has cerebral palsy and asthma, was told she may need rehab before going home to improve her mobility. But, desperate to get back to her family, which includes mum Angela, 75, who lives with her, and daughter Tricia, 30, she practiced her steps aided by a walker and was able to be discharged home.

She added: “I was so looking forward to going home. Before I was in hospital I took part in the clap for carers every Thursday – now I’ll be doing it as a way to say thank you to the staff who cared for me, I’ve seen how hard they work.”

Tracy also had a message of hope for others: “People should keep calm and do what they’re instructed to do to keep safe. It will all sort itself out in the end.”

Tracy is pictured above. You can also watch a video of her being clapped off our ward on Twitter.