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Northeast Ohio man becomes first patient on ventilator to recover from COVID-19 at Cleveland VA

Posted at 11:24 AM, May 02, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-02 11:24:42-04

CLEVELAND — A Northeast Ohio man who fought for our country just faced another battle after he was diagnosed with COVID-19.

David James, who served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, tested positive for COVID-19 on March 23. The veteran spent a month in the hospital and was placed on a ventilator during his treatment at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center.

James fought hard against the virus and became the Cleveland VA Medical Center’s first patient to come off a ventilator and recover from the virus, according to the facility.

The medical center helped James celebrate his birthday with his wife Patty and other family members, throwing a party using a video chat service. That’s when James surprised them with the news he was coming home.

Watch Rob Power’s full story in the player above.