'I never thought I would live to see my 70th birthday'

Retired nurse Jeannette Field from Skegness lost her battle with the virus after becoming sick a week after her husband, Robert, had been admitted into Pilgrim Hospital in Boston.

For many years Jeanette had worked as a secretary to heart specialist Dr Cyril Nyman. She was 71 years old.

Robert had been on a ventilator in an induced coma when she passed away on Saturday, April 4. The tragic news was broken to him the day before her funeral, to which he was too poorly to attend.

But he was able to watch the Skegness Standard video of the funeral procession, showing neighbours and fellow Rotary Club members lining the street near their home in Seacroft Drive in a guard of honour.

Robert was celebrating his 70th birthday on Monday and said he felt very lucky to have survived.

"I have to admit I never expected to reach my 70th birthday," he said. "Apart from pins and needles in two of my fingers I have fully recovered and feel very lucky.

"I'm just trying to get my head around what happened from the time I became sick in March through to May.

"I never saw the first lockdown - I just have a few memories when I first came came out of a coma.

"One was seeing lorries and ambulances flashing their headlights in the car park and someone told me it was a tribute to a nurse that had caught Covid-19 and died."

Robert said he had had his first vaccination and was ready for his second when called.

"It's so important that people take care," he said.

"This virus has not gone away - my worry is when restrictions are lifted and visitors return.

"Carry on wearing masks, social distancing and washing hands. Protect yourselves - no-one else can do it for you."