After catching Covid while waiting for the second vaccine, a father of eight is in serious condition and fighting for his survival.
James Grayson, from Frimley, Surrey, tested positive for coronavirus on October 19 after he collapsed at home and was admitted to hospital.
After his rapidly declining health, the 41-year old was still waiting for his second shot and was forced to go into an intubated coma.
James Grayson (41), from Frimley in Surrey was tested for coronavirus after he fell at home. He was then admitted to hospital.
James (left), is in an acute coma and fighting for life after being exposed to Covid as he waited for his second vaccination. Becky, James’ wife says his family are devestated’
Ebonnie, his 21-year old daughter, said it best: “We are all broken beyond our words.”
She said that ‘He was very healthy and would always go to the gym’.
She spoke to The Mirror and said: “We wouldn’t have thought that something like this could affect him so severely.”
Even though he had no other health problems, the carpenter/window fitter has been diagnosed with multiple complications, including pneumonia, sepsis, and a collapsed lungs.
James, who suffered a stroke in October, was unable to walk. His wife Becky (40), said that his health has declined but is still being monitored by doctors.
On Facebook she wrote: “Long Story Short. He isn’t doing well, he is unfortunately still declining.
‘But they aren’t at the stage where they are going to give up on him.
“Watching my husband struggle was horrible! This is unacceptable.
James was transferred from his local hospital, Frimley Park in Surrey, to Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London, where he has been placed on one of the UK’s five an ECMO machine, which is a an artificial lung or heart.
Ebonnie said that James’ family created a GoFundMe account to help them adjust to their new lifestyle.
She wrote on GoFundMe: “If my father survives, his life will change.” His recovery may take many years as he will require adaptation living. He’ll find everyday life difficult and will be in need of assistance.
He was waiting to get his second jab when he caught the deadly virus, was placed in an induced coma by doctors after his health quickly deteriorated. His wife holds her husbands hand whilst he is Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London (pictured)
James (left) with Becky (right), on their wedding day twelve years ago
“The greatest sadness is that my father was a hardworking family man who started work when he was old enough to provide for his family. He’s been an amazing father to us eight children!’
This news comes as Omicron, designated a ‘variant of concern’ by the WHO, was found in Nottingham and Brentwood in Essex
Boris Johnson last night To stop the transmission of this highly transmissible variant, the UK government imposed isolation on all UK residents and required masks to be worn in shops and trains.
At a hastily-arranged Downing Street press conference the prime minister painted a grim picture of the potential threat from the new ‘super-mutant’ strain – admitting he cannot guarantee Christmas will go ahead as hoped.
Mr Johnson put unlocking in reverse as he extended travel bans, enforcing day-two PCR tests for arrivals in Britain, and making facemasks compulsory in shops and on trains.
He stated that any arrival to the country should self-isolate up until they receive a negative test result. This can be used to identify Omicron carriers.
For 10 days, all contacts infected by the variant should remain at their homes.
He was flanked by Patrick Vallance and Chris Whitty, chief scientists in medicine and science respectively. Johnson announced also that facial masks will soon be mandatory on public transport and shops – though struggling bars and restaurants won’t be affected.
Amazingly, however, despite alarming new dangers, the government still has not determined when new restrictions will take effect.
Expect Mr Javid to provide more details over the coming days. No10 suggests they’ll be available ‘next week.
Two instances of this strain were found in Brentwood and Nottingham, according to Mr Javid. They are both linked to possible travel to Southern Africa as the source of the mutation.
After the UK Health Security Agency verified the sequence, the infected persons and their families were instructed to self-isolate.
This marks the first time that England has tightened restrictions since last winter. However, Scotland and Wales responded previously to rising infection rates.
According to the premier, the measure will be reviewed within three week and that booster jab campaigns will continue in the interim.
Both the Welsh Government and Scotland are providing similar restrictions for international travel and warn they may go further.
These changes are not as radical as the official ‘Plan B’ that was outlined by government this summer. Johnson did not bring back home orders and introduce vaccine passports.
The PM, however, refused to rule out the possibility of a Christmas lockdown. When pressed by reporters, he warned Omicron that Omicron differs quite significantly from other Covid variations and would’reduce our vaccines’ over time.
Only a vague promise was made that this year’s festive season would be better than the previous one.
Sir Patrick also warned that the UK may need to ‘face up’ to the possibility of further restrictions if the Omicron variant is very transmissible.
At Saturday’s Downing Street press conference graphs were shown that showed the total number of jabbed people.
Professor Whitty stated that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation must now decide whether the booster vaccine should be extended to adults aged 18 and whether a second dose should also be given to children 12-15 years old who have decided to receive the vaccine with their family.
Another 39,567 Covid cases were recorded in the UK today – down 3.36 per cent from 40,941 posted last Saturday – while the number of people who have died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid fell by 12.7 per cent from 150 last week to 131.
Canada, USA and EU followed Britain’s decision to restrict travel to visitors from south Africa. It was done ahead of WHO adding B.1.1.529 to its most concerning category.
Britain’s Omicron infection was the result of a rash of Omicron cases across Europe. This morning, at least 61 cases of Covid were discovered in South Africa. The new Omicron variant is currently being sequenced by authorities.
Another 39,567 Covid cases were recorded in the UK today – down 3.36 per cent from 40,941 posted last Saturday – while the number of people who have died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid fell by 12.7 per cent from 150 last week to 131
Europe’s first case of the variant was spotted in Belgium yesterday – despite the unvaccinated woman who caught it having travelled to Turkey and Egypt. Today, suspected cases were confirmed by both Germany and the Czech Republic.
Germany’s first sequencing indicates that Omicron was responsible for the initial sequence. Officials await full sequencing in the coming days. Australian authorities – who also banned travel to nine countries in the region – fear the variant may have already entered the country.
Doctor Anthony Fauci, the chief US medical officer, stated that he wouldn’t be surprised to learn that Omicron Covid had been introduced in America. As President Joe Biden was addressing the nation, his comments were made at about the same time. The US was criticised for not allowing South Africa-bound flights to the US prior to Monday’s start of the travel ban.