A patient nursed back to health from pneumonia after testing positive for coronavirus has thanked staff who cared for her.

Sarah Salway, from Tunbridge Wells, was already self-isolating at home after developing coronavirus symptoms before she was admitted to Tunbridge Wells Hospital on Thursday, March 19.

The 59-year-old poet, novelist and writing tutor was put in isolation at the hospital before being given oxygen treatment.

A second swab came back negative for Covid-19 and she was given antibiotics to treat pneumonia, caused by the virus.

Now recovering at home, she said: "I thought I was recovering but then I suddenly developed a continuous cough, felt breathless and had a temperature.

"The following day my partner dialled NHS 111. Paramedics were sent to my house and I was taken to Tunbridge Wells Hospital for tests. I thought I would be there just for the morning but I ended up being admitted after I tested positive for coronavirus.

"To begin with I didn't really know what was going on and I felt too poorly to even think about what was happening to me.

"Obviously there were no visitors but I knew I was in the right place and was grateful for that.

"Every time the nursing staff had to come into my room they had to protect themselves with masks and aprons but they were so professional and caring.

"They treated me like a human, even when I could barely speak a word to them because I felt so ill.

"I will never stop being grateful to them. There were moments of real kindness - one of the paramedics came back especially to wish me luck, a doctor spent time making sure I understood what he was saying, the nurses made me laugh and a night nurse even came into my room to make sure I wasn't scared.

"After this, I hope we don’t forget how much we owe them, and what’s important to a healthy society."

"They treated me like a human, even when I could barely speak."

She added that it was a challenging time going through treatment following her diagnosis.

"It's one of the scariest experiences I've ever been through but I have come out the other end so I'm proof there is hope," she said.

"I went out for a walk around the block for the first time in three weeks and I was wobbly and tearful and very nervous.

"I know I need to take it easy but I'm looking forward to doing some home yoga and simple things like concentrating enough to read a book."

She also called on people to follow the government guidance and stay at home.

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