STAFF lined a hospital's hallways and filled the building with applause as a nurse was wheeled out of critical care after a 23 day battle with coronavirus.

An irrepressible Uma Pradhan waved to colleagues and flashed a series of thumbs up from her hospital bed as she left the unit at Conquest Hospital in St Leonards on Friday afternoon.

The site erupted with cheers for the dedicated nurse as staff celebrated the ongoing recovery of "one of our own".

The Argus:

Yet, despite, having just overcome a vicious encounter with coronavirus, Uma was quick to quiz colleagues on when she would be able to return to work.

She said: "I can’t thank all the staff in critical care enough for everything they have done for me. They are truly amazing.

"I am still in hospital but progressing every day, everyone has been fantastic."

The Argus:

Team members from the unit celebrated their colleague being released from ICU in style with a guard of honour along the hospital hallways.

Critical care and anaesthetic consultant Kate Murray said: "The Critical Care Medical and Nursing team are delighted to be able to discharge Uma from Critical Care.

"She has had a really tough battle against Covid-19 in ICU for more than two weeks and has made a remarkable recovery, given how critically ill she has been.

The Argus:

"This recovery has been made all the more special given that she is 'one of our own'.

"She is an amazing lady and a dedicated nurse. One of her first questions when she began to get better was when she could go back to work."

"We wish her well – her recovery has given all of us real hope and inspiration during what is an incredibly challenging time."

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