Thread by @TorontoStar

“I thought even if COVID strikes me, it won’t last long; I was strong and I thought I’d get over it quickly.”

Then, COVID-19 permanently damaged this lungs. So, he received a double-lung transplant, what physicians at UHN are saying is a first in Canada. torstar.co/Xn5g50EmbOQ

In December, Tim Sauvé was admitted to hospital after collapsing in his condo the same day he tested positive for COVID-19. Though he survived the viral infection, the disease had ravaged his lungs and a life support machine was keeping him alive.
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So, he underwent surgery. The milestone procedure, which took place at Toronto General Hospital in February, offers a chance of recovery to a small number of COVID-19 patients who would otherwise die of the disease. torstar.co/Xn5g50EmbOQ

With the third wave fuelling an increase in the number of younger patients getting severely ill with COVID-19, UHN physicians say they expect to do more lung transplants due to the disease.

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Only patients who, after undergoing careful assessment, are deemed strong enough, and who have no other organ damage, will be considered for a transplant.

Worldwide, about 50 COVID-19 patients have so far undergone the surgery.

Story: @Megan_Ogilvie
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