Blackpool brother and sister who nearly died from Covid-19 helped with hospital's clinical trial

Sukhdev Singh, 62, and Santo Hill, 69, both nearly died from Covid-19 and spent more than a month at Blackpool Victoria Hospital fighting the virus – and have repaid medics’ heroism by taking part in the hospital’s Covid clinical trial.

The pair, who live in Empress Drive, were admitted to hospital at the end of March after falling seriously ill.

Sukhdev, who works as a nurse at a St Annes nursing home, was admitted first and believes he passed it on to his sister.

He said: “I was doing night shifts for nearly a month and all of a sudden I felt ill and my sister rang for an ambulance.

“It all happened so quickly and I then spent a month in the intensive care unit (ICU) and I was only given a 30 per cent chance of survival.”

Santo was admitted days after her brother, and was on the same ward as he was. Medics gave her a 20 per cent chance of survival.

Santo, who runs the Blue Moon Hotel in Yorkshire Street, said: “When I was admitted, I was asked if I would like to take part in a trial by the hospital’s research team. I said to them I would do anything that is necessary to help me survive.

“Both Sukhdev and myself are overwhelmed by the amazing staff. We both wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for them.”

Despite being discharged from the hospital last week, they continue to recover.

Santo added: “The consultants said may take up to 24 months for us to get our strength back and our breathing is poor at times.”