A neighborhood celebration for a COVID-19 survivor
Barry Kittay was released from UC Health, Highlands Ranch hospital April 10. The 60-year-old retiree is a fighter, and his friends and family wanted to celebrate his recovery. Over the weekend Kittay sat curbside during a drive-by parade.
“I’m not really one for the center of attention you know, I didn’t know I had so many friends.” Kittay said. “Makes my heart feel good, glad I’m still alive to see it.”
Rocky Mountain PBS has been following Kittay's battle with the COVID-19 virus since he tested positive on March 23.
Brian Willie of Rocky Mountain PBS posted a video report March 30 about Kittay's plight. His wife, Doe, took him to the hospital on March 21, where he tested positive for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. She was not allowed to visit with him in the hospital due to safety precautions.
He spent 3 weeks in ICU, losing 55 pounds and spending 11 of days on a ventilator fighting for every bit of oxygen he could get into his lungs.
His recovery is slow but they're seeing his strength in his body coming back each day.
Kittay continues to share his own advice to everyone, “wash your hands, stay away from your friends, don’t go out in public, you don’t need to do any of those things. If you can stay home and stay clean and ride this out until we have at least the start of a vaccination, do it.”
