An NHS nurse who contracted coronavirus has come off a ventilator after spending 45 days in intensive care.

Felix Khor received a round of applause from colleagues as he was wheeled to a Covid-19 ward at Southend Hospital, where he has worked for 15 years.

He gave the thumbs up from his hospital bed and said: "I'm incredibly grateful to all of the hospital staff who have helped keep me fighting and for the huge love and support from colleagues and friends.

"I have seen incredible care that they give to patients.

"There is still a long road ahead but it has meant so much."

Mr Khor, who lives in Shoebury, joined Southend Hospital in 2005 as part of the resuscitation training team.

He continued working at the hospital following his retirement as part of the staff bank in the emergency department.

Denise Townsend, director of nursing at Southend Hospital, said: "It's wonderful to be able to celebrate Felix's slow road to recovery with fellow members of staff from across the Trust.

"His recovery is a real message of hope and optimism, not just for staff working with Covid-19 patients, but for all of us."

His close friend, Linda Leak, 73, from Southchurch, a former surgical nurse at the hospital, had spoken on Mr Khor's PPE fears at the hospital.

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She said: “He came to me on about March 17 and said he was concerned about the personal protection on offer to staff and felt it was inadequate.

“He then text me on about March 25 to say he was very worried about protection and keeping safe from the virus. He’s a very good nurse, one of the best.”

A spokesman for Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: "There has never been a lack of PPE at Southend Hospital.

"The safety of our staff is our absolute priority and we have worked incredibly hard to ensure there have always been sufficient stocks of protective equipment for every member of staff who needs it."