A pastor in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom who spent a week fighting for his life in intensive care after he contracted the coronavirus has been discharged from hospital.
Mark McClurg (40), a pastor at Ards Elim Church, posted photos to Twitter with staff at the hospital in Ulster, and thanked everyone for their prayer as he left in a wheelchair.
Sharing the good news, the father-of-three said: “Jesus is my healer.”
Upon leaving the hospital, his appeal to people was to be “be kind”.
“I have some amazing news,” he wrote.
“I’m leaving the Ulster Hospital. I want to thank everyone for their prayers. I want to thank the staff at the Ulster Hospital for saving my life. I looking forward to enjoying life. Overcome Coronavirus. Be kind. Jesus is my healer.”
The 40-year-old went viral on Facebook when he pleaded with people to heed social distancing rules. His video was shared around the world and even drew praise from Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organisation.
In the video message, he had asked people to pray for him but also to take coronavirus seriously, with a stark warning that they could end up like him on a ventilator and struggling to breathe in ICU.
“Lastly don’t think this wont touch you – coronavirus,” he said.
“Don’t think for one moment that this is just a wee cold and a cough you’re getting. Please look at me and listen.”
He continued: “Keep social distancing because Northern Ireland we will get through this but we have to do this to protect the NHS. We must protect the heart and soul of Northern Ireland at the moment and that is our NHS staff.
“They need us. I’ve seen their faces. I’ve spoken to them. Some of them have come to terms with the fact they’re going to get coronavirus. Let that sink in. Do your part.
“Social distancing doesn’t mean we can’t pick up the phone and phone out loved ones and phone our friends and phone neighbours but be wise, be kind and love and protect the NHS.”
Additional Reporting by Christian Today, Irish News and Premier Christian Radio.
