Healthcare workers cheer as COVID patient leaves hospital after 40 days.

Special to BENEATH THE SURFACE NEWS

Healthcare workers at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Stephenville lined the hallways to cheer for a patient who battled COVID-19.

Ben Lewis, 48, was discharged from the hospital on Friday after spending more than 40 days there, 20 of which were in the intensive care unit.

“It’s a very special day for Stephenville because we got to send one of our long-term COVID-19 patients to a recovery facility,” said Marilyn Brister, M.D., chief medical officer. “It’s so nice to have somebody who’s able to be discharged talking and interacting with us. This celebratory moment is not just for them. It’s for the whole team.”

Lewis was on a ventilator for 20 days and received convalescent blood plasma therapy as part of his treatment.

While Lewis continues his recovery outside of the hospital, he’s offering some advice for people who haven’t received the COVID-19 vaccine yet.

“Take that vaccine shot. Don’t mess around,” Lewis said. “If it hadn’t been for my parents taking it, they would have gotten sick when I was around them.”