Vietnam Covid pilot flies home
A Scottish pilot who was Vietnam’s most critical Covid-19 patient has been discharged from hospital, less than a week after doctors said he was virus-free and healthy enough to return home.
Stephen Cameron was taken by ambulance from Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City to the city’s airport. He was scheduled to take a flight to HHanoi, Vietnam’s capital, where whe he will depart on a flight flig to London – and is due back bac in the UK today. V Vietnam went all out to save th the 42-year-old, who was working w for national carrier Vi Vietnam Airlines when he tes tested positive for coronavirus in March. Stephen had been cri critically ill and spent 65 days on life support.
H He said: “I’m overwhelmed by tthe generosity of the Vietnamese, the dedication and professionalism of the doctors and nurses.
“I’m going home with a happy heart because I’m going home, but it is sad that I’m leaving so many people here that I’m friends with.”
The pilot is known in Vietnam as “Patient 91” as he was the 91st person in the country confirmed to have the virus. He was Vietnam’s last patient in ICU and his recovery means the country has still not had any Covid-19 deaths.
Dr Tran Thanh Linh, of Cho Ray Hospital, said: “The patient’s recovery has been like a very long flight. But he made it. All of the workers are overwhelmed with joy to see him fully recovered.”
Stephen had been so sick that doctors considered a lung transplant.
He was due to be flown on a Boeing 787 – the same aircraft he used to pilot.